Exophiala

Exophiala
Exophiala phaeomuriformis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Eurotiomycetes
Order: Chaetothyriales
Family: Herpotrichiellaceae
Genus: Exophiala
J.W.Carmich. (1966)
Type species
Exophiala salmonis
J.W.Carmich. (1966)
Synonyms[1]
  • Foxia Castell. (1908)
  • Wangiella McGinnis (1977)

Exophiala is a genus of anamorphic fungi in the family Herpotrichiellaceae. The widespread genus contains 28 species.[2] The genus was formally described by J. W. Carmichael in 1966.[3]

Exophiala has been implicated in causing 'saxophone lung' or hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a disease that can be contracted by woodwind instrumentalists (saxophonists, clarinettists, oboists, etc.). A case study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology highlighted that it is possible to develop this allergic pulmonary disease through improper cleaning of instruments.[4][5]

Exophiala werneckii is the organism responsible for tinea nigra.

Some sources equate Hortaea werneckii, Cladosporium werneckii, Exophiala werneckii, and Phaeoannellomyces werneckii.[6]

Exophiala jeanselmei causes maduromycosis.[7] This is usually an asymptomatic disease which presents with black or brown macular lesions which enlarge by peripheral extension. The lesion is darkest at the periphery and has very distinct margins. Lab diagnosis- using a KOH mount. Typically seen is brown septate branching hyphae or dark brown budding cells. Treatment is topical antifungal: miconazole or econazole.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference urlMycoBank was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kirk2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Carmichael1966 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "What Happened When One Man Didn't Clean His Clarinet For More Than 30 Years". Huffington Post. 8 November 2013.
  5. ^ "What is Saxophone Lung?". Live Science. 8 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Mycology Online – Phaeoannellomyces". Archived from the original on 5 December 2008.
  7. ^ Exophiala at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)