Cylindrocarpon lichenicola

Teleomorph: Nectria (Fries) Fr.

Colonies are fast growing, hyaline or bright-coloured, suede-like or woolly. Sporodochia may occasionally be present. Conidiophores consist of simple or repeatedly verticillate phialides, arranged in brush-like structures. Phialides are cylindrical to subulate, with small collarettes producing hyaline, smooth-walled conidia, which are arranged in slimy masses. Two types of conidia may be produced; macroconidia which are one to several septate, hyaline, straight or curved, cylindrical to fusiform, with a rounded apex and flat base; and microconidia which are one-celled, which are usually clearly distinct from the macroconidia. Chlamydospores may be present or absent, hyaline to brown, spherical, formed singly, in chains or in clumps, intercalary or terminal. RG-2 organism if isolated from humans.

Culture, chlamydospores and macroconidia of Cylindrocarpon lichenicola.

Clinical significance:

The genus contains 35 species, is widespread, isolated mostly from soil and is recorded as an occasional human and animal pathogen. Cylindrocarpon differs from Fusarium by lacking an asymmetrical foot-cell on the macroconidia.

Mycosis: Hyalohyphomycosis

Further reading:

Domsch, K.H., W. Gams, and T.H. Anderson. 1980. Compendium of soil fungi. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK.

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