Sterile fungi

The sterile fungi, or mycelia sterilia, are a group of fungi that do not produce any known spores, either sexual or asexual. This is considered a form group, not a taxonomic division, and is used as a matter of convenience only, as various isolates within such morphotypes could include distantly related taxa or different morphotypes of the same species,[1] leading to incorrect identifications. Because these fungi do not produce spores, it is impossible to use traditional methods of morphological comparison to classify them.[2] However, molecular techniques can be applied to determine their evolutionary history, with ITS testing being the preferred method.[1]According to one study, approximately 42% of fluids collected from broncho-alveolar lavage have had sterile mycelium observed in them.[3]

  1. ^ a b Naik, Shankar (November 2009). "Taxonomic placement for mycelia sterilia in endophytic fungal research: A molecular approach". Current Science. 97 (9). Indian Academy of Sciences: 1276–1277 – via Research Gate.
  2. ^ Gherbawy, Youssuf; Voigt, Kerstin (2010-03-03). Molecular Identification of Fungi. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 284. ISBN 978-3-642-05042-8.
  3. ^ Agossou, M.; Inamo, J.; Ahouansou, N.; Dufeal, M.; Provost, M.; Badaran, E.; Zouzou, A.; Awanou, B.; Dramé, M.; Desbois-Nogard, N. (August 24, 2023). "Frequency and Distribution of Broncho-Alveolar Fungi in Lung Diseases in Martinique". Journal of Clinical Medicine. 12 (17): 5480. doi:10.3390/jcm12175480. PMC 10488106. PMID 37685550.