Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Phialophora-Proven Cases from Mexico

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic severely mutilating disease caused by fungi of the order Chaetothyriales. Classically, Phialophora verrucosa has been listed among these etiologic agents. This species is known to occur in the environment and has been found to cause other infections like phaeohyphomycosis, while reported cases of chromoblastomycosis are scant. Phialophora is phylogenetically diverse, and thus retrospective confirmation of etiology is necessary. We studied ten proven cases of chromoblastomycosis from Mexico and further analyzed the population genetics and genomics of the Phialophora species to understand their pathogenicity and predilection. The clinical strains were molecularly identified as Phialophora americana (n = 4), Phialophora chinensis (n = 4), and Phialophora macrospora (n = 2). No genetic distinction between clinical and environmental strains was possible. Further analysis of strains from diverse origins are needed to address eventual differences in virulence and niche predilection between the species.

Automated summary

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic disease caused by fungi of the order Chaetothyriales. Phialophora verrucosa has been traditionally listed among the etiologic agents, which is known to cause other infections as well. Studies on Phialophora species in Mexico have identified different species causing the disease without genetic distinction between clinical and environmental strains. Further analysis of strains from various origins is needed to understand potential differences in virulence and niche predilection.