Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Mar;39(1):75-92.
doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2024.11.006. Epub 2024 Dec 18.

Dematiaceous Molds

Lucy X Li  1 , Hyunah Yoon  2
Affiliations
Review

Dematiaceous Molds

Lucy X Li et al. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Dematiaceous molds are darkly pigmented environmental molds found worldwide, especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Common genera include Bipolaris, Cladophialophora, Exophiala, and Alternaria. They cause disease in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, presenting as cutaneous infections, allergic sinusitis, pneumonia, and, rarely, disseminated infections. Contaminated medical products have also led to fungal meningitis outbreaks. Treatment typically involves itraconazole, voriconazole, or posaconazole, along with source control and reduction in immunosuppression, if possible. Newer antifungals may have a role in treatment. Mortality is high in disseminated disease, especially with Lomentospora prolificans in immunocompromised individuals, prompting global efforts to improve diagnostics and treatments.

Keywords: Chromoblastomycosis; Dematiaceous molds; Emerging molds; Eumycetoma; Fungal meningitis; Opportunistic infections; Phaeohyphomycosis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Revankar SG, Sutton DA. Melanized fungi in human disease. Clin Microbiol Rev. Oct 2010;23(4):884–928. doi:10.1128/CMR.00019-10 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Revankar SG, Sutton DA, Rinaldi MG. Primary central nervous system phaeohyphomycosis: a review of 101 cases. Clin Infect Dis. Jan 15 2004;38(2):206–16. doi:10.1086/380635 - DOI - PubMed
    1. 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. Medical Mycology. 2016;55(6):579–604. doi:10.1093/mmy/myw124 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ajello L, Georg LK, Steigbigel RT, Wang CJ. A case of phaeohyphomycosis caused by a new species of Phialophora. Mycologia. May-Jun 1974;66(3):490–8. - PubMed
    1. Shelton BG, Kirkland KH, Flanders WD, Morris GK. Profiles of Airborne Fungi in Buildings and Outdoor Environments in the United States. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2002;68(4):1743–1753. doi:doi:10.1128/AEM.68.4.1743-1753.2002 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Substances