Fungi

Fungi strain names

 

Classification

Diseases Caused

Habitat

Candida auris

Ascomycota phylum;
Saccharomycetales order;
Candidaceae family.

Causes invasive candidiasis, bloodstream infections, wound infections, and ear infections. Notoriously resistant to multiple antifungal drugs.
Found on the skin and in healthcare environments, such as hospitals and clinics, often colonizing patients’ skin and hospital surfaces.

Candida albicans

Ascomycota phylum;
Saccharomycetales order;
Candidaceae family.
Responsible for oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections, and invasive candidiasis, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Commonly found in the human microbiota of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina.

Aspergillus niger

Ascomycota phylum;
Eurotiales order;
Aspergillaceae family.
Causes aspergillosis. Can lead to pulmonary infections and otomycosis (ear infections).
Ubiquitous in the environment; commonly found in soil, decaying vegetation, and indoor environments.

Talaromyces pinophilus (formerly Penicillium funiculosum)

Ascomycota phylum;
Eurotiales order;
Trichocomaceae family.
Less commonly associated with human disease but can cause rare cases of infection in immunocompromised individuals.
Found in soil and decaying organic matter.

Chaetomium globosum

Ascomycota phylum;
Sordariales order;
Chaetomiaceae family.
Causes infections primarily in immunocompromised patients, such as skin and nail infections, and more rarely, cerebral infections.
Common in soil, air, and plant debris; often found in water-damaged buildings and paper.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Ascomycota phylum;
Onygenales order;
Arthrodermataceae family.
Causes tinea infections such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm of the scalp.
Dermatophyte that lives in soil, animals, and humans; often transmitted through direct contact with infected hosts.

Trichoderma virens

Ascomycota phylum;
Hypocreales order;
Hypocreaceae family.
Generally not pathogenic to humans but used in agriculture to control plant pathogens.
Found in soil and root ecosystems, where it interacts with other microorganisms and plants.

Aureobasidium pullulans

Ascomycota phylum;
Dothideales order;
Dothioraceae family.
Can cause dermatitis and other rare infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
Widespread in the environment, including on plant surfaces and in water systems; also found in indoor environments like damp areas

Fungal Strains

Explore our extensive collection of fungal strains routinely employed in testing

Candida auris

Candida auris

Overview

Candida auris is a multi-drug-resistant pathogenic yeast. It is a member of the Candidaceae family. It was first isolated and identified from the ear discharge of a patient in Japan in 2009. It has a compact genome similar to other Candida species and codes for antifungal resistance and virulence. Immunocompromised patients, including those in intensive care units, are prone to Candida auris infections. This is mainly due to its ability to survive on surfaces and resist standard disinfection methods.

Mode of Transmission

Candida auris is primarily transmitted in healthcare environments, through contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces, and from person to person. Candida auris is known for causing nosocomial infections, where it can cause wound infections, ear infections, and also bloodstream infections.

Important facts

Candida auris can form biofilms on various surfaces, including medical instruments, which contributes to its spread in hospital settings. It is resistant to several antifungal drugs, thus making infections difficult to treat.

Candida albicans

Candida albicans

Overview

Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus that can grow both as yeast and filamentous cells. It belongs to the Candidaceae family, It has a relatively compact genome, approximately 14 million base pairs in length. It encodes genes that facilitate its morphological plasticity, adherence, invasion, and resistance to antifungal agents. Candida albicans was first identified as a pathogen in the early 20th century by Christine Marie Berkhout in 1923. It is a common organism of the human microflora found on mucosal surfaces, including the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract.

Mode of Transmission

Transmission is not typically from person to person but occurs as an overgrowth resulting from disrupted microbiota or immune dysfunction. It causes infections ranging from superficial mucosal infections, such as oral thrush and vaginitis, to more severe systemic infections that can be life-threatening, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Important facts

Its pathogenicity is enhanced by its ability to switch between yeast and hyphal forms, which is critical for its colonization and evasion of the host's immune response.

Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus niger

Overview

Aspergillus niger belongs to the family Aspergillaceae. Its genome contains approximately 35 million base pairs. This fungus was initially described by Pier Andrea Saccardo in the year 1867. It is usually found in soil, decaying organic matter, and indoor air. Besides industrial uses associated with enzymes, A. niger can also be considered as a pathogen to humans, especially for immunocompromised individuals. It causes pulmonary aspergillosis and otomycosis, or fungal infection of the ear.

Mode of Transmission

Infection occurs through inhaling airborne conidia (spores), ubiquitous in the environment. People with a weakened immunity system or those with preexisting lung conditions are at greater risk of infection.

Important facts

The ability of A. niger to cause disease is related to the production of mycotoxins and extracellular enzymes that result in tissue damage.

Talaromyces pinophilus (Penicillium funiculosum)

Talaromyces pinophilus (Penicillium funiculosum)

Overview

Talaromyces pinophilus (previously known as Penicillium funiculosum) is an organism belonging to the Trichocomaceae family of fungi, with approximately 28-30 million base pairs constituting its genome. Initially recognized during the early 1900s, it was mainly identified due to its capacity to decompose organic matter and produce certain types of enzymes, especially those involved in cellulose degradation. This strain is usually found in soils and decaying plant material.

Mode of Transmission

Infection is acquired by inhaling air-borne spores found in the soil and decaying organic matter. Talaromyces pinophilus is an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals, causing respiratory infections.

Important facts

The pathogenicity of this fungus was low since infections were very rare and often confined to people with weakened immunity; it plays a vital role in biotechnology because of its ability to produce enzymes.

Chaetomium globosum

Chaetomium globosum

Overview

Chaetomium globosum is a member of the family Chaetomiaceae. This fungus has a genome size of roughly 35 million base pairs. It was first identified in 1912 and is quite abundant in soil, decaying plant material, and water-damaged buildings. C. globosum is primarily known for its biodeterioration of cellulose-based materials, such as wood and paper. Thus, it acts as an opportunistic pathogen causing cutaneous mycosis, onychomycosis, and deep tissue infection or systemic infection in immunocompromised patients.

Mode of Transmission

The primary transmission mode is through the air; the spores are found in places with poor ventilation or damage due to water. While it is of low virulence as a pathogen, chronic exposure to its spores may induce respiratory problems among sensitive hosts, particularly in moist indoor conditions.

Important facts

Chaetomium globosum is hazardous to human health and can also cause structural damage in buildings.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Overview

Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a fungal species belonging to the family Arthrodermataceae; this species is known to cause infections in humans through their dermatophytic action. Its genome shows the ability to produce keratin-degrading enzymes that enable it to colonize skin, hair, and nails. It was first identified in the 19th century as one of the causative agents of widespread fungal infections, including athlete's foot, ringworm, and nail diseases.

Mode of Transmission

Infection would occur either by direct contact or through contaminated surfaces. T. mentagrophytes is considered pathogenic because of its ability to invade and colonize keratinized tissue, causing symptoms like scaling, itching, and redness.

Important facts

Trichophyton mentagrophytes can cause chronic infection, especially in immunocompromised individuals; thus, prolonged antifungal therapy is required to control the infection.

Trichoderma virens

Trichoderma virens

Overview

Trichoderma virens is a species of filamentous fungus belonging to the Hypocreaceae family. It is primarily known as a soil inhabitant and biocontrol agent rather than a pathogen. Its genome is approximately 40 million base pairs long. The genome encodes several genes that enable it to produce a variety of enzymes and secondary metabolites. These enzymes and metabolites are responsible for its role as a biological control agent against plant pathogens. First described in scientific literature in the 1930s, Trichoderma virens has since been employed effectively in agriculture to combat various plant diseases, enhancing plant growth and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Important facts

It is not known to cause human or animal infections but is used to prevent the growth of more harmful fungal pathogens. Trichoderma virens inhibits the growth of pathogenic fungi and bacteria via several mechanisms including competition for available nutrients, mycoparasitism, and the production of antifungal agents. Trichoderma virens has the ability to produce volatile organic compounds which act as biofumigants.

Aureobasidium pullulans

Aureobasidium pullulans

Overview

Aureobasidium pullulans is a commonly found black yeast-like fungus. It belongs to the family Dothideaceae. It can adapt to various environments, from plant surfaces to indoor environments. Its genome has a single circular chromosome that encodes a variety of enzymes and proteins. These proteins and enzymes aid in degrading complex polysaccharides and, in turn, help the organism thrive on diverse substrates. First identified in the early 20th century, it is not a human pathogen.

Important facts

Aureobasidium pullulans is recognized for its biotechnological applications. It is known for producing pullulan, a polysaccharide used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries for its film-forming and adhesive properties. Additionally, Aureobasidium pullulans is utilized in the biological control of plant pathogens, contributing to its reputation as a beneficial microbe. While generally considered non-pathogenic, it can occasionally act as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals.

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