Is Hortaea werneckii yeast?
Hortaea werneckii is a species of yeast in the family Teratosphaeriaceae. It is a black yeast that is investigated for its remarkable halotolerance. While the addition of salt to the medium is not required for its cultivation, H. werneckii can grow in close to saturated NaCl solutions.
Where is Hortaea werneckii?
Hortaea werneckii is a common saprophytic fungus believed to occur in soil, compost, humus and on wood in humid tropical and subtropical regions and is the causative agent of tinea nigra in humans. RG-1 organism.
What does cladosporium werneckii cause?
Tinea nigra is caused by the dematiaceous fungus Hortaea werneckii (formerly known as Phaeoannellomyces werneckii, Exophiala werneckii, and Cladosporium werneckii).
What causes Hortaea werneckii?
Causes of Tinea Nigra This skin infection happens after you come in contact with a fungus called Hortaea werneckii. Hortaea werneckii thrives in hypersaline environments or bodies of water with extremely high salt content.
Can Hortaea Werneckii produce melanin?
Hortaea werneckii strain isolated in our study from solar salter (as a biological source of melanin pigment), has been documented as an extremely halotolerant fungus [38], and was recurrently isolated from natural hypersaline habitats all over the world [39].
Does Hortaea Werneckii cause systemic infection?
Very rarely, in severely immunosuppressed patients, specifically patients with neutropenia following treatment for acute leukemia, Hortaea werneckii has been isolated from blood cultures or internal organ abscesses. Cases of systemic infection with dematiaceous fungus are referred to as phaeohyphomycoses.
Does Hortaea werneckii cause systemic infection?
Can Hortaea werneckii produce melanin?
What is Cladosporium Werneckii?
Dematiaceous fungi Hortaea werneckii is the etiologic agent of tinea nigra, a superficial cutaneous mycosis typically involving either the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, and frequently acquired in subtropical coastal locations.
Is White Piedra harmful?
Although white piedra is a relatively harmless condition, without treatment, it can lead to brittle and damaged hair. People can treat it by shaving the affected area and applying an antifungal medication.
What is the causative agent of pityriasis versicolor?
The causative organisms are saprophytic, lipid-dependent yeasts in the genus Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) [1]. Tinea versicolor responds well to medical therapy (table 1), but recurrence is common and long-term prophylactic therapy may be necessary.
What causes black spots in the palm of your hand?
Tinea nigra is rare in the United States, but when it’s seen, it’s usually in the hot, humid climates of the Southeast. The fungus causes painless brown or black patches to grow on palms and feet. Sometimes other areas of the body, such as the neck and trunk, can be affected.
Which concentration of sodium chloride does Hortaea werneckii grow optimally?
H. werneckii is naturally adapted to fluctuating salt concentrations in its environment, and it can grow without salt and in up to saturated NaCl. Its optimum for growth is between 0.8 M and 1.7 M NaCl.
Can white piedra make you sick?
What is the diagnostic morphology of pityriasis versicolor?
Pityriasis versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor is a superficial chronically recurring fungal infection of the stratum corneum, characterized by scaly, dyspigmented irregular macules most often occurring on the trunk and extremities. Pityriasis versicolor is caused by Malassezia yeast, a dimorphic fungus.
What are black dots on skin called?
Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.
Is Hortaea werneckii halophilic?
Hortaea werneckii is a dematiaceous yeast that inhabits the soil, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates. It is halophilic and has also been isolated from saltwater fish. Hortaea werneckii is an occasional cause of human infections [ 2202 ].
What is the morphology of H werneckii?
H. werneckii is polymorphic, meaning its cell morphology depends in part on the medium it is grown in. When H. werneckii is exposed to high levels of salt, it can form thick cell walls with more melanin than under low salt levels [2].
How long does it take for Hortaea werneckii to grow?
The colonies of Hortaea werneckii grow slowly and mature within 21 days. From the front, they are initially pale in color, moist, shiny, and yeast-like. In time, these colonies become velvety, olive black, and are covered with a thin layer of mycelium.