Curvularia, Exophiala, Scedosporium, Sporothrix, and other melanized fungi

The taxonomy of the melanized fungi and the most relevant epidemiological and clinical aspects, and the laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of infections caused by these agents, are discussed in this chapter. This chapter covers most of the agents of phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, and sporotrichosis, as well as a number of agents of superficial and cutaneous disease. The genera discussed in this chapter belong to the ascomycetous orders Botryosphaeriales (Lasiodiplodia and Neoscytalidium), Chaetothyriales (Cladophialophora, Exophiala, Fonsecaea, Knufia, Phialophora, Rhinocladiella, and Veronaea), Calosphaeriales (Pleurostomophora), Diaporthales (Phaeoacremonium), Dothideales (Aureobasidium and Hormonema), Microascales (Scedosporium), Ophiostomatales (Sporothrix), Pleosporales (Alternaria, Curvularia, and Exserohilum), and Venturiales (Ochroconis). The most recent data on the in vitro and in vivo experimental antifungal susceptibility of melanized fungi to the available antifungal drugs are also provided.