Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (744 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Opportunistic infections caused by the dematiaceous (darkly pigmented) mitosporic fungi of alternaria, Bipolaris, cladosporium, Curvularia, and exophiala. These fungi have pigmented hyphae due to melanin in the cell wall. The initial subcutaneous cyst from the infection can become systemic and spread rapidly to renal, pulmonary and cerebral systems (see cerebral phaeohyphomycosis) in an immunocompromised host.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Phaeohyphomycoses; Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis; Phaeohyphomycoses, Subcutaneous; Phaeohyphomycosis, Subcutaneous; Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycoses; Cutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis; Cutaneous Phaeohyphomycoses; Phaeohyphomycoses, Cutaneous.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Mycoses
Related concepts
- Opportunistic Infections
- Mitosporic Fungi
- Alternaria
- Cladosporium
- Exophiala
- Hyphae
- Melanin
- Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis
- Immunocompromised Host
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 384 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Phaeohyphomycosis” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 148 of them (38.5%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 238 records.
Reviews account for 53 records (13.8%) and meta-analyses for 1. Randomized controlled trials number 0 (0.0%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 238 |
| 2020 onward | 148 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 53 | 13.8% |
| Meta-analyses | 1 | 0.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 0 | 0.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Phaeohyphomycosis"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in infectious diseases
Infectious disease evidence combines microbiology, epidemiology and clinical trials. Laboratory studies identify pathogens and how they cause harm; surveillance and outbreak investigations describe who is affected and how infection spreads; trials establish whether treatments and vaccines work. Results depend on place and time, because pathogens evolve and resistance patterns and population immunity change. Check when and where the data were collected, how cases were defined and how up to date the evidence is.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exophiala dermatitidis: Key issues of an opportunistic fungal pathogen | 2019 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 72 | cc by PMID 30887863 · DOI · PMC8647849 |
| Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of wangiella dermatitidis, a major cause of phaeohyphomycosis and a model black yeast human pathogen | 2014 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 52 | cc by PMID 24496724 · DOI · PMC4059230 |
| Human Dectin-1 deficiency impairs macrophage-mediated defense against phaeohyphomycosis | 2022 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 33 | cc by PMID 36377664 · DOI · PMC9663159 |
| Nasal phaeohyphomycosis in a cat caused by Cladophialophora boppii | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42828555 · DOI · PMC13633654 |
Exophiala dermatitidis: Key issues of an opportunistic fungal pathogen [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is an opportunistic pathogen, causing phaeohyphomycosis in immunosuppressed patients, chromoblastomycosis and fatal infections of the central nervous system in otherwise healthy Asian patients.
- Closing excerpt
- dermatitidis prevalence, clinical importance, diagnosis, microbiological characteristics, virulence attributes, susceptibility, and resistances as well as therapeutically strategies are discussed.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (142 words)
The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is an opportunistic pathogen, causing phaeohyphomycosis in immunosuppressed patients, chromoblastomycosis and fatal infections of the central nervous system in otherwise healthy Asian patients. In addition, it is also regularly isolated from respiratory samples from cystic fibrosis patients, with rates varying between 1% and 19%.Melanin, as part of the cell wall of black yeasts, is one major factor known contributing to the pathogenicity of E. dermatitidis and increased resistance against host defense and anti-infective therapeutics. Further virulence factors, e.g. the capability to adhere to surfaces and to form biofilm were reported. A better understanding of the pathogenicity of E. dermatitidis is essential for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. In this review, the current knowledge of E. dermatitidis prevalence, clinical importance, diagnosis, microbiological characteristics, virulence attributes, susceptibility, and resistances as well as therapeutically strategies are discussed.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30887863 · DOI · PMC8647849
Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of wangiella dermatitidis, a major cause of phaeohyphomycosis and a model black yeast human pathogen [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Black or dark brown (phaeoid) fungi cause cutaneous, subcutaneous, and systemic infections in humans.
- Closing excerpt
- dermatitidis has adapted to stress and survives in diverse environments, including during human infections.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (249 words)
Black or dark brown (phaeoid) fungi cause cutaneous, subcutaneous, and systemic infections in humans. Black fungi thrive in stressful conditions such as intense light, high radiation, and very low pH. Wangiella (Exophiala) dermatitidis is arguably the most studied phaeoid fungal pathogen of humans. Here, we report our comparative analysis of the genome of W. dermatitidis and the transcriptional response to low pH stress. This revealed that W. dermatitidis has lost the ability to synthesize alpha-glucan, a cell wall compound many pathogenic fungi use to evade the host immune system. In contrast, W. dermatitidis contains a similar profile of chitin synthase genes as related fungi and strongly induces genes involved in cell wall synthesis in response to pH stress. The large portfolio of transporters may provide W. dermatitidis with an enhanced ability to remove harmful products as well as to survive on diverse nutrient sources. The genome encodes three independent pathways for producing melanin, an ability linked to pathogenesis; these are active during pH stress, potentially to produce a barrier to accumulated oxidative damage that might occur under stress conditions. In addition, a full set of fungal light-sensing genes is present, including as part of a carotenoid biosynthesis gene cluster. Finally, we identify a two-gene cluster involved in nucleotide sugar metabolism conserved with a subset of fungi and characterize a horizontal transfer event of this cluster between fungi and algal viruses. This work reveals how W. dermatitidis has adapted to stress and survives in diverse environments, including during human infections.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 24496724 · DOI · PMC4059230
Human Dectin-1 deficiency impairs macrophage-mediated defense against phaeohyphomycosis [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis typically affects immunocompetent individuals following traumatic inoculation.
- Closing excerpt
- More broadly, we demonstrate that human Dectin-1 deficiency may contribute to susceptibility to severe phaeohyphomycosis by certain dematiaceous fungi.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (210 words)
Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis typically affects immunocompetent individuals following traumatic inoculation. Severe or disseminated infection can occur in CARD9 deficiency or after transplantation, but the mechanisms protecting against phaeohyphomycosis remain unclear. We evaluated a patient with progressive, refractory Corynespora cassiicola phaeohyphomycosis and found that he carried biallelic deleterious mutations in CLEC7A encoding the CARD9-coupled, β-glucan-binding receptor, Dectin-1. The patient's PBMCs failed to produce TNF-α and IL-1β in response to β-glucan and/or C. cassiicola. To confirm the cellular and molecular requirements for immunity against C. cassiicola, we developed a mouse model of this infection. Mouse macrophages required Dectin-1 and CARD9 for IL-1β and TNF-α production, which enhanced fungal killing in an interdependent manner. Deficiency of either Dectin-1 or CARD9 was associated with more severe fungal disease, recapitulating the human observation. Because these data implicated impaired Dectin-1 responses in susceptibility to phaeohyphomycosis, we evaluated 17 additional unrelated patients with severe forms of the infection. We found that 12 out of 17 carried deleterious CLEC7A mutations associated with an altered Dectin-1 extracellular C-terminal domain and impaired Dectin-1-dependent cytokine production. Thus, we show that Dectin-1 and CARD9 promote protective TNF-α- and IL-1β-mediated macrophage defense against C. cassiicola. More broadly, we demonstrate that human Dectin-1 deficiency may contribute to susceptibility to severe phaeohyphomycosis by certain dematiaceous fungi.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 36377664 · DOI · PMC9663159
Nasal phaeohyphomycosis in a cat caused by Cladophialophora boppii [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Phaeohyphomycosis is an opportunistic mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi, typically affecting the cutaneous or subcutaneous tissues of the facial region and distal extremities in cats.
- Closing excerpt
- Identification of a novel species of phaeohyphomycosis in a cat emphasizes the need for increased awareness of emerging fungal pathogens that can precipitate considerable morbidity, particularly in the absence of prompt aggressive intervention.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (143 words)
Phaeohyphomycosis is an opportunistic mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi, typically affecting the cutaneous or subcutaneous tissues of the facial region and distal extremities in cats. This report documents a case of Cladophialophora boppii infection in a cat. A 7-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented with a chronic, pigmented nasal lesion, non-productive sneezing, and stertor. Computed tomography, rhinoscopy, and tissue sampling were performed. Fungal culture and molecular sequencing confirmed the diagnosis. Oral itraconazole treatment failed to arrest progression, necessitating delayed nasal planectomy. Despite transient remission, disease recurred, requiring repeat surgical debridement, and prolonged antifungal treatment. Clinical resolution was ultimately achieved, with marked improvement in the cat's quality of life. Identification of a novel species of phaeohyphomycosis in a cat emphasizes the need for increased awareness of emerging fungal pathogens that can precipitate considerable morbidity, particularly in the absence of prompt aggressive intervention.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42828555 · DOI · PMC13633654
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Phaeoacremonium: from esca disease to phaeohyphomycosis [5]
- Research article Phaeohyphomycoses, emerging opportunistic diseases in animals [6]
- Research article Phaeohyphomycosis [7]
- Research article An updated comprehensive systematic review of Cladophialophora bantiana and analysis of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcome of cerebral cases [8]
- Research article Dematiaceous Molds [9]
- Research article Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phialophora americana with CARD9 mutation and 20-year literature review in China [10]
References
- Kirchhoff L, Olsowski M, Rath PM, Steinmann J. Exophiala dermatitidis: Key issues of an opportunistic fungal pathogen. . 2019. PMID 30887863 · DOI · PMC8647849
- Chen Z, Martinez DA, Gujja S, Sykes SM, Zeng Q, Szaniszlo PJ, et al.. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of wangiella dermatitidis, a major cause of phaeohyphomycosis and a model black yeast human pathogen. . 2014. PMID 24496724 · DOI · PMC4059230
- Drummond RA, Desai JV, Hsu AP, Oikonomou V, Vinh DC, Acklin JA, et al.. Human Dectin-1 deficiency impairs macrophage-mediated defense against phaeohyphomycosis. . 2022. PMID 36377664 · DOI · PMC9663159
- McCarthy J, Augusto M, O'Neill E, Otero Balda I, Wyatt E. Nasal phaeohyphomycosis in a cat caused by Cladophialophora boppii. . 2026. PMID 42828555 · DOI · PMC13633654
- Gramaje D, Mostert L, Groenewald JZ, Crous PW. Phaeoacremonium: from esca disease to phaeohyphomycosis. Fungal Biol. 2015. PMID 26321726 · DOI
- Seyedmousavi S, Guillot J, de Hoog GS. Phaeohyphomycoses, emerging opportunistic diseases in animals. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2013. PMID 23297257 · DOI · PMC3553675
- Arcobello JT, Revankar SG. Phaeohyphomycosis. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2020. PMID 32000289 · DOI
- Kantarcioglu AS, Guarro J, De Hoog S, Apaydin H, Kiraz N. An updated comprehensive systematic review of Cladophialophora bantiana and analysis of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcome of cerebral cases. Med Mycol. 2017. PMID 28007938 · DOI
- Wong EH, Revankar SG. Dematiaceous Molds. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2016. PMID 26897066 · DOI
- Huang C, Zhang Y, Song Y, Wan Z, Wang X, Li R. Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phialophora americana with CARD9 mutation and 20-year literature review in China. Mycoses. 2019. PMID 31271673 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
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