In vitro activities of 8 antifungal drugs against 126 clinical and environmental Exophiala isolates.

Background: Exophiala is the main genus of black fungi comprising numerous opportunistic species. Data on antifungal susceptibility of Exophiala isolates are limited, while infections are potentially fatal.

Materials And Methods: In vitro activities of eight antifungal drugs (AMB, five azoles, two echinocandins) against 126 clinical (n = 76) and environmental (n = 47) isolates from around the world were investigated.

Airborne transmission of invasive fusariosis in patients with hematologic malignancies.

From 2006 to 2013, an increasing incidence of fusariosis was observed in the hematologic patients of our University Hospital. We suspected of an environmental source, and the indoor hospital air was investigated as a potential source of the fungemia. Air samplings were performed in the hematology and bone marrow transplant (BMT) wards using an air sampler with pre-defined air volumes.

Black yeast biota in the mangrove, in search of the origin of the lethargic crab disease (LCD).

Knowledge of natural ecology is essential for a better understanding of pathogenicity and opportunism in black yeast-like fungi. Although etiological agents of diseases caused by these fungi are supposed to originate from the environment, their isolation from nature is difficult. This is probably due to their oligotrophic nature, low competitive ability, and, overall, insufficient data on their natural habitat.