The genus was published by Maharachch., K.D. Hyde & Crous in Studies in Mycology vol. 79 on page 135 in 2014.[1]
The type species is Pseudopestalotiopsis theae(Sawada) Maharachch., K.D. Hyde & Crous.[3]
It was named after its morphological similarity to Pestalotiopsis.[1]
Pseudopestalotiopsis species are widely distributed as saprobes or pathogens, mainly occurring on leaves (Maharachchikumbura et al. 2014b, 2016a).[1][4] They have conidia with concolorous (or uniform in colour), brown to dark brown or olivaceous (olive-green colour) median pigmented cells (Maharachchikumbura et al. 2014b).[3] They also have knobbed apical appendages.[5]
It was originally placed in family Pestalotiopsidaceae before that was absorbed into the family Sporocadaceae. Jaklitsch et al. (2016),[6] synonymised Bartaliniaceae, Discosiaceae, Pestalotiopsidaceae and Robillardaceae, and then revived the older family name of Sporocadaceae to accommodate them (Crous et al. 2015).[7]Pestalotiopsidaceae is still sometimes used.[8][9][10]
Some Pseudopestalotiopsis fungal species are well known for their capability to produce medicinal compounds that could have medicinal, agricultural and industrial applications.[5]
DNA research in 2020 into 172 specimens (collected worldwide) of various species of Pestalotiopsis and related genera, including Neopestalotiopsis and Pseudopestalotiopsis eventually revealed that Yunnan or Jiangxi (in China) was a possible centre of origin for the genus, and that genera Pseudopestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis could have originally derived from genera Pestalotiopsis.[11]
Molecular diagnosis is increasingly being used to identify rare species of pathogenic fungi.[5]
Despite being a common pathogen in plants, fungal infections in humans and animals is extremely rare. There had previously been no reports of Pseudopestalotiopsis infections in humans. A single report of Pestalotiopsis clavispora keratitis was reported from Japan in a gardener after sweeping up leaves and twigs.[12] Then in 2019 in a rural part of India, a 55 year old woman was treated in hospital for Pseudopestalotiopsis keratitis (a fungal infection within the cornea of the eye) causing pain, redness, and decreased vision in the right eye. It was discovered using DNA sequencing to be Pseudopestalotiopsis theae. Scarring on the cornea meant the patient never regained full sight but recovered enough to leave hospital.[13]
^Maharachchikumbura, Sajeewa S. N.; Hyde, Kevin D.; Jones, E. B. Gareth; McKenzie, E. H. C.; Bhat, Jayarama D.; Dayarathne, Monika C.; Huang, Shi-Ke; Norphanphoun, Chada; Senanayake, Indunil C. (2016-06-03). "Families of Sordariomycetes". Fungal Diversity. 79 (1): 1–317. doi:10.1007/s13225-016-0369-6. ISSN1560-2745. S2CID256070646.
^ abcTsai, Ichen; Maharachchikumbura, Sajeewa S. N.; Hyde, Kevin D.; Ariyawansa, Hiran A. (May 2018). "Molecular phylogeny, morphology and pathogenicity of Pseudopestalotiopsis species on Ixora in Taiwan". Mycological Progress. 17 (8): 941–952. doi:10.1007/s11557-018-1404-7. S2CID255313328.
^Ran, S.F.; Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N.; Ren, Y.L.; Liu, H.; Chen, K.R.; Wang, Y.X.; Wang, Y. (2017). "Two new records in Pestalotiopsidaceae associated with Orchidaceae disease in Guangxi Province, China". Mycosphere. 8: 121‑130. doi:10.5943/mycosphere/8/1/11.
^Dubey, Rashmi (December 2022). "Neopestalotiopsis eucalypticola (Pestalotiopsidaceae, Ascomycota): A new record to Indian mycoflora". Journal of Mycopathological Research. 60 (4): 599–602. doi:10.57023/JMycR.60.4.2022.599. S2CID254348355.
^Chen, Lijiao; Li, Hongye; Jiao, Wengweng; Tao, Mei; Lv, Caiyou; Zhao, Ming; Wang, Miao (April 2021). "Genetic variation and demographic history analysis of Pestalotiopsis, Pseudopestalotiopsis, and Neopestalotiopsis fungi associated with tea (Camellia sinensis) inferred from the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA". Plant Pathology. 70 (3): 699–711. doi:10.1111/ppa.13315. S2CID228905469.