Fonsecaea compacta

Fonsecaea compacta is a species of fungus belonging to the family Herpotrichiellaceae. It is one of the causative agents of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Taxonomy

The genus Fonsecaea was first described by J. Müller in 1884. The species Fonsecaea compacta was later described by Carlos da Fonseca in 1928. The genus is named in honor of Adolpho Lutz, a Brazilian physician and pioneer in tropical medicine.

Description

Fonsecaea compacta is a dematiaceous (darkly pigmented) fungus. It produces slow-growing colonies that are initially moist and become dry and powdery with age. The color of the colonies ranges from olive-brown to black. Microscopically, it is characterized by the presence of hyphae, conidia, and sclerotia.

Pathogenicity

Fonsecaea compacta is one of the causative agents of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic fungal infection that primarily affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The disease is characterized by the formation of nodular lesions that can develop into large warty growths. It is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in rural areas where individuals are in frequent contact with soil and plant material.

Treatment

Treatment of infections caused by Fonsecaea compacta typically involves a combination of antifungal therapy and surgical intervention. Itraconazole and terbinafine are the most commonly used antifungal agents. In severe cases, surgical excision of the affected tissue may be necessary.

See also

• Fonsecaea pedrosoi
• Fonsecaea nubica
• Phialophora verrucosa
• Cladophialophora carrionii