Black Molds and Melanized Yeasts Pathogenic to Humans

A reviewis given of melanized fungi involved in human infection, including species forming budding cells and strictly filamentous representatives. Classically, they are known as phaeoid or dematiaceous fungi, and, today, agents are recognized to belong to seven orders of fungi, of which the Chaetothyriales and Pleosporales are the most important. Infections range from cutaneous or pulmonary colonization to systemic or disseminated invasion. Subcutaneous involvement, either primary or after dissemination, may lead to host tissue proliferation of dermis or epidermis. Particularly in the Chaetothyriales, subcutaneous and systemic infections may occur in otherwise apparently healthy individuals. Infections are mostly chronic and require extended antifungal therapy and/or surgery.