Based on opportunistic collections of fungi in Panama, two species of Diatrypaceae (Xylariales) are described and illustrated. One of them, Eutypella semicircularis, found twice on branches probably belonging to Alnus acuminata, is new to science. It differs from known species of Eutypella and Peroneutypa with strongly allantoid or semicircular ascospores, such as E. crustata and P. curvispora, in having larger ascospores that sometimes almost form a circle and broader stromata, among other differences. Molecular data of the ITS rDNA region show that the new species is a sister taxon of Eutypella cerviculata, the type species of the genus Eutypella. Diatrype bermudensis on stems of Guadua angustifolia is reported from Panama for the first time, being known up to now apparently only from Bermuda.
In a survey of mycotic human skin and nail lesions in Chiriquí, Western Panama, Talaromyces indigoticus was isolated in one case. This ascomycete is characterised by formation of gymnothecia containing oval, spinose and yellow ascospores, which become blue in mounting fluids, and by short monoverticillate or biverticillate penicilli. It is here reported the first time for Panama and the American continent. Because the strain was isolated from an onychomycosis together with a dermatophyte and other fungal strains, the pathological impact of Talaromyces indigoticus is not evident.
Introduction: Dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii complex are the aetiological agent of sporotrichosis in humans and animals. Cats in particular have gained importance in transmission of the disease to humans. Therefore, it is crucial to identify unusual aetiological agents and the varying clinical appearances of the disease. Case presentation: We describe the case of a 10-year-old cat with a 2-month history of nasal discharge after a fight with another cat. Severe thrombocytopenia was diagnosed, whilst routine testing for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was negative. A computed tomography scan revealed profound destruction of several parts of the nasal cavity. Histological and cytological examination of biopsies taken from these locations showed a chronic pyogranulomatous inflammation with several yeast-like structures. Mycological cultivation at 28 and 37 8C yielded fungal growth with smooth to wrinkled colonies consisting of hyphae and non-pigmented sympodial, round to oval-shaped conidia. Molecular typing, including sequence analysis of the ITS region, resulted in a consensus sequence which allowed classification of the fungus into the Sporothrix schenckii complex. Although the thrombocytopenia persisted, treatment with itraconazole dissolved any respiratory symptoms and improved the clinical status of the cat, indicating an antimycotic-responsive infection. Conclusion: Amelanotic members of the Sporothrix schenckii complex should be considered a putative aetiologic agent in the pathogenesis of feline sporotrichosis in Germany. Besides being classified in close proximity to species in the environmental clade this isolate has proven to cause serious infection implying a possible zoonotic potential.
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