Trichosporon

Trichosporon
A typical case of severe dandruff and dry scalp
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Tremellomycetes
Order: Trichosporonales
Family: Trichosporonaceae
Genus: Trichosporon
Behrend (1890)
Type species
Trichosporon beigelii
(Küchenm. & Rabenh.) Vuill.


Trichosporon is a genus of anamorphic fungi in the family Trichosporonaceae. All species of Trichosporon are yeasts with no known teleomorphs (sexual states). Most are typically isolated from soil, but several species occur as a natural part of the skin microbiota of humans and other animals. Proliferation of Trichosporon yeasts in the hair can lead to an unpleasant but non-serious condition known as white piedra. Trichosporon species can also cause severe opportunistic infections (trichosporonosis) in immunocompromised individuals.