[Little known mycoses caused by dematiaceous opportunists]

The mycoses caused by melanized hyphomycetes are reviewed. Agents of superficial, (sub)cutaneous, paranasal, and systemic mycoses are listed, putting the emphasis on species isolated in Germany. Adaptations to survive in extreme environments may be considered as virulence factors of these fungi. Survival inside human tissue is more or less successful depending on the immune status of the host. Several neurotropic fungi are possibly real pathogens in that they are capable of invading immunocompetent individuals.