Apophysomyces

Taxobox | name = "Apophysomyces sp."


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regnum = Fungi
divisio = Zygomycota
classis = Zygomycetes
ordo = Mucorales
familia = Mucoraceae
genus = Apophysomyces
genus_authority = Misra, Srivastava & Lata.
species = "A. elegans"
binomial = "Apophysomyces elegans"

"Apophysomyces" is a filamentous fungus that is commonly found in soil and decaying vegetation. It normally grows in tropical to subtropical regions. [L. Collier, A. Balows, and M. Sussman, "Topley & Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections", 9th ed. (1998), vol. 4. (London, Sydney, Auckland, New York). ISBN 0-340-80912-4 (ISBN is for 10th ed.)]

The genus Apophysomyces currently contains only a single species, "Apophysomyces elegans".

Characteristics

Among the other members of zygomycetes, "Apophysomyces elegans" mostly resembles those from genus "Absidia". However, its bell-shaped (although not conical) apophyses (outgrowth), the existence of its foot-cell like hyphal segment, rhizoids produced opposite to the sporangiophores upon cultivation on plain agar, the darker and thicker subapical segment, and inability to sporulate on routine culture media help in distinguishing "Apophysomyces elegans". [Davise H. Larone, "Medically Important Fungi - A Guide to Identification", 3rd ed. (1995). (ASM Press, Washington, D.C.). ISBN 1-555-81172-8 (ISBN is for 4th ed.)]

"Apophysomyces elegans" is a thermotolerant fungus: it has been found to grow favourably at temperatures of 26°C and 37°C, and it grows rapidly at 42°C. Its colonies are fluffy and cottony in appearance. The surface of the colony is white initially and turns to a brownish-grey or yellowish-cream as the culture ages, while the underside is white to pale yellow in colour. [L. Collier, A. Balows, and M. Sussman, "Topley & Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections", 9th ed. (1998), vol. 4, p. 463. (London, Sydney, Auckland, New York). ISBN 0-340-80912-4 (ISBN is for 10th ed.)] [Davise H. Larone, "Medically Important Fungi - A Guide to Identification", 3rd ed. (1995). (ASM Press, Washington, D.C.). ISBN 1-555-81172-8 (ISBN is for 4th ed.)]

Pathogenicity

Normally, no special precautions are needed with regard to this fungus.

However, "Apophysomyces elegans" is the cause of the rare infection, known as zygomycosis, in humans, which is often fatal. [J.A. Ribes, C.L. Vanover-Sams, and D.J. Baker, " [http://cmr.asm.org/cgi/content/full/13/2/236 Zygomycetes in human disease] ", " [http://cmr.asm.org/ Clinical Microbiology Reviews] " 13 (2000), pp. 236-301.] [M.A. Wieden, K.K. Steinbronn, A.A. Padhye, L. Ajello, and F.W. Chandler, " [http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/4/522 Zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans] ", " [http://jcm.asm.org/ Journal of Clinical Microbiology] " 22 (1985), pp. 522-526.]

Infection is usually acquired via traumatic implantations associated with soil or decaying vegetable matter (such as from accidental injuries or insect bites). Invasive soft tissue infections can develop on burns or wounds which are contaminated by soil. Unlike other zygomycosis, the affected host is usually otherwise immunocompetent. "Apophysomyces elegans" infections present most commonly as necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis, and angioinvasion. [R.D. Cooter, I.S. Lim, D.H. Ellis, and I.O.W. Leitch, " [http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/9/2151 Burn wound zygomycosis caused by "Apophysomyces elegans"] ", "Journal of Clinical Microbiology" 28 (1990), pp. 2151-2153.] [V. Lakshmi, T.S. Rani, S. Sharma, V.S. Mohan, C. Sundaram, R.R. Rao, and G. Satyanarayana, "Zygomycotic necrotizing fasciitis caused by "Apophysomyces elegans", "Journal of Clinical Microbiology" 31 (1993), pp. 1368-1369.] [M.A. Wieden, K.K. Steinbronn, A.A. Padhye, L. Ajello, and F.W. Chandler, "Zygomycosis caused by "Apophysomyces elegans", "Journal of Clinical Microbiology" 22 (1985), pp. 522-526.] Systemic [R.M. Lawrence, W.T. Snodgrass, G.W. Reichel, A.A. Padhyl, L. Ajello, and F.W. Chandler, "Systemic zygomycosis caused by "Apophysomyces elegans", "Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology" 24 (1986), 57-65.] and secondary renal and bladder infections [P.C. Okhuysen, J.H. Rex, M. Kapusta, and C. Fife, "Successful treatment of extensive posttraumatic soft-tissue and renal infections due to Apophysomyces elegans", " [http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/ Clinical Infectious Diseases] " 19 (1994), pp. 329-331.] have also been reported.

References

ee also

*Mucormycosis (specific term for infection caused by Mucoraceae family moulds)
*Zygomycosis (a more generic term for infection caused by Mucoraceae and various other mould varieties; the term Phycomycosis is also used).

External links

* [http://www.doctorfungus.org/Thefungi/img/336MIKE.jpgImage of "Apophysomyces sp."]
* [http://www.doctorfungus.org/Thefungi/Apophysomyces.htm doctorfungus.org entry on "Apophysomyces sp."]
* [http://www.indexfungorum.org/Names/names.asp?strGenus=Apophysomyces "Apophysomyces" species] from Index Fungorum
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?dispmax=20&db=PubMed&pmfilter_EDatLimit=No+Limit&cmd_current=Limits&orig_db=PubMed&cmd=Search&term=apophysomyces&doptcmdl=DocSum PubMed search page] (using search term "apophysomyces")