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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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Double-Staining Method to Detect Pectin in Plant-Fungus Interaction
Published on: February 4, 2022
Phaeohyphomycosis caused by a plant pathogen, Corynespora cassiicola
Gui X Lv1, Yi P Ge, Yong N Shen
1Department of Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, PR China.
Medical Mycology
|February 2, 2011
Summary
A rare subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis case caused by Corynespora cassiicola is detailed. Molecular identification and in vitro antifungal susceptibility guided successful treatment with oral terbinafine and topical povidone iodine.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is a fungal infection affecting deeper skin layers.
- Corynespora cassiicola is a fungus primarily found on plants, with rare reports of human infection.
Observation:
- A patient presented with subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis.
- Molecular techniques were used to identify the causative agent as Corynespora cassiicola.
- The pathogen was confirmed to be present on grasses, suggesting a potential environmental source.
Findings:
- In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on the isolated Corynespora cassiicola strain.
- The study provides crucial antifungal susceptibility data for this pathogen.
- Successful treatment was achieved using oral terbinafine and topical povidone iodine, guided by susceptibility results.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential of Corynespora cassiicola to cause human subcutaneous infections.
- Molecular identification is crucial for accurate diagnosis of rare fungal pathogens.
- Antifungal susceptibility testing can guide effective therapeutic strategies for phaeohyphomycosis.
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