Curvularia sp.

Teleomorph: Cochliobolus sp.

Colonies are fast growing, suede-like to downy, brown to blackish brown with a black reverse. Conidia are pale brown, with three or more transverse septa (phragmoconidia) and are formed apically through a pore (poroconidia) in a sympodially elongating geniculate conidiophore similar to Drechslera. Conidia are cylindrical or slightly curved, with one of the central cells being larger and darker. Germination is bipolar and some species may have a prominent hilum.

Culture of Curvularia lunata.

Conidia of Curvularia lunata.

MIC data is limited.  Antifungal susceptibility testing of individual strains is recommended.

Clinical significance:

The genus Curvularia contains some 35 species which are mostly subtropical and tropical plant parasites. However, three ubiquitous species have been recovered from human infections, principally from cases of mycotic keratitis; C. lunata, C. pallescens and C. geniculata. Clinical manifestations of phaeohyphomycosis include sinusitis, endocarditis, peritonitis and disseminated infection.  RG-1 organism.

Mycosis: Phaeohyphomycosis

Further reading:

McGinnis, M.R. 1980. Laboratory handbook of medical mycology. Academic Press, London, UK.

Rippon, J.W. 1988. Medical Mycology. 3rd Edition. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, USA.