Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
07:32

Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Published on: March 19, 2015

10.6K

Exophiala dermatitidis: Key issues of an opportunistic fungal pathogen

Lisa Kirchhoff1, Maike Olsowski1, Peter-Michael Rath1

  • 1Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Virulence
|March 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Exophiala dermatitidis, a black yeast, causes serious infections like phaeohyphomycosis and CNS disease. Understanding its virulence factors, including melanin, is crucial for developing new treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathogen Biology

Background:

  • Exophiala dermatitidis is an opportunistic black yeast pathogen.
  • It causes phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, and fatal CNS infections.
  • It is also found in cystic fibrosis patients' respiratory samples.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on Exophiala dermatitidis.
  • To discuss its prevalence, clinical significance, and diagnosis.
  • To explore virulence factors, susceptibility, and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Exophiala dermatitidis research.
  • Synthesis of data on clinical isolates and patient outcomes.
  • Analysis of microbiological and virulence characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Melanin contributes to E. dermatitidis pathogenicity and therapeutic resistance.
  • Adherence and biofilm formation are additional virulence factors.
  • The review consolidates information on susceptibility and resistance patterns.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of E. dermatitidis virulence is vital.
  • This knowledge is essential for developing novel preventive and therapeutic approaches.
  • Further research into susceptibility and resistance can guide treatment decisions.
Keywords:
Exophiala dermatitidisWangiella dermatitidisblack yeastcystic fibrosispathogenicityphaeohyphomycosispolymorphismvirulence

More Related Videos

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis08:52

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis

Published on: January 9, 2013

40.6K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays06:03

Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays

Published on: September 20, 2024

1.7K

Related Concept Videos

Ethical Issues01:27

Ethical Issues

Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
2.1K
Key Techniques in Microbiology01:19

Key Techniques in Microbiology

Aseptic techniques prevent contamination, ensure experimental accuracy, and protect researchers and microbial cultures. These techniques are essential in clinical, industrial, and research settings where sterility is required.Maintaining Sterility in Laboratory PracticesScientists maintain sterility by sterilizing tools with heat or chemicals, disinfecting work surfaces, and handling cultures in controlled environments. Working near an open flame or within a laminar flow hood reduces the risk...
2.3K
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
24.2K
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
1.2K
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System01:29

Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System

The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
6.2K
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
494