Pheohyphomycosis B43.9

Group of rare, mainly cutaneously and subcutaneously localized, usually opportunistically occurring infections caused by different molds, whose representatives (Phaeohyophomycetes) are characterized only by hyphae, which have a dark, yellow or black-brown inherent color (phaeo = dark/cloudy). The melanized pathogens are also called black fungus (Dematiaceae).

S.u. mold fungus illnesses; see below Alternariosis, cutaneous.

There are numerous species of fungi that can be considered as pathogens. They cause various clinical manifestations. Therefore, this is not one clinical entity. The only common feature of this mycosis is the brownish to yellow-black inherent colour of the hyphae in the tissue and also mostly in the culture.

Representatives of the Dematiazeten (molds whose hyphae show an inherent color, from yellow to brown and black). Typical are black discolorations of the affected tissue through the growth of the black to black-brown colored hyphae of the molds.

Most frequent pathogens: moulds of the genera Exophiala, Bipolaris, Phialophora, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Alternaria and Curvularia.

The most frequent manifestations are observed on the skin. Other localizations are: sinuses, lungs, CNS. Depending on the duration of the disease, brown to blackish, smooth or scaly or verrucous papules or plaques are found on the skin, which can conglomerate into 20-30 cm large, circumcircularly limited verrucous nodular conglomerates. The manifestations frequently occur as opportunistic infections (see also organ transplants, skin changes). Systemic and disseminated infections may also occur in immunocompromised patients.

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