Conidiobolus
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| Conidiobolus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Conidiobolus firmipilleus on surface of agar petri dish | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Entomophthoromycota |
| Class: | Entomophthoromycetes |
| Order: | Entomophthorales |
| Family: | Ancylistaceae |
| Genus: | Conidiobolus Bref. 1884 em. Humber 1989 |
| Type species | |
| Conidiobolus utriculosus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Conidiobolus is a genus of fungi in the order Entomophthorales.[3] Some species were initially defined in Conidiobolus but then moved into other genera such as Capillidium and Batkoa.[4][2]
The genus name Conidiobolus was first introduced in 1884 by Brefeld and was proposed due to differences in its conidia.[5]
Members of this genus are typically saprophytic, living in the soil with vegetation and decaying organic matter. They are most commonly found in tropical regions.[6]
Some members of this genus may cause a human infection known as conidiobolomycosis; others are invertebrate pathogens. Only three species have been identified in mammalian infection: C. coronatus, C. incongruus, and C. lamprauges.[7]
In the Conidiobolus genus, at least four types of asexual conidia have been reported. Sexual structures (zygospores) have been found in most of the members in this genus, but not in C. coronatus.[7] However, while growing in water agar plates, C. coronatus develops villose conidia, a unique taxonomic characteristic used for its identification in clinical isolates.[8]
The hyphae are broad, thin walled and occasionally septate. They are best visualized with hematoxylin and eosin when viewing clinical specimens.[9]
For Conidiobolus, the best environment for germination is achieved with high humidity from 98 to 100% and temperatures between 16 and 30 °C.[7]