Acremonium is a genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of Fungi in the Hypocreaceae

Hypocreaceae

The Hypocreaceae are a family within the class Sordariomycetes. Species of Hypocreaceae are usually recognized by their brightly colored, perithecial ascomata, typically yellow, orange or red. The family was proposed by Giuseppe De Notaris in 1844. According to the Dictionary of the Fungi , the...

 family; it was previously known as "Cephalosporium".

Description

Acremonium species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 are usually slow growing and are initially compact and moist. Acremonium hyphae are fine and hyaline

Hyaline

The term hyaline denotes a substance with a glass-like appearance.-Histopathology:In histopathological medical usage, a hyaline substance appears glassy and pink after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin — usually it is an acellular, proteinaceous material...

 and produce mostly simple phialides. Their conidia are usually one-celled (i.e. ameroconidia), hyaline or pigmented, globose to cylindrical, and mostly aggregated in slimy heads at the apex

Apex

Apex may refer to:- Biology :* Apex , the tip of the spire of the shell of a gastropod* Apex is the Apical meristem or its remnant on a flower...

 of each phialide.

Clinical significance

The genus Acremonium currently contains approximately 100 species, of which most are saprophytic, being isolated from dead plant material and soil. Many species of Acremonium are recognized as opportunistic pathogens of man and animals, causing mycetoma

Mycetoma

Eumycetoma is a chronic, specific, granulomatous, fungal disease. It mainly affects the foot; and Mycetoma pedis is also known as Madura foot. This infection is endemic in Africa, India, and Central and South America.-Causes and presentation:...

, onychomycosis

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis means fungal infection of the nail. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about a half of all nail abnormalities....

, and hyalohyphomycosis

Hyalohyphomycosis

Hyalohyphomycosis is a group of opportunistic mycotic infections caused by nondematiaceous molds, and may be contrasted with phaeohyphomycosis.A hyalohyphomycetes example is Fusarium....

. Clinical manifestations of hyalohyphomycosis caused by Acremonium include arthritis

Arthritis

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....

, osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis simply means an infection of the bone or bone marrow...

, peritonitis

Peritonitis

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines part of the abdominal cavity and viscera. Peritonitis may be localised or generalised, and may result from infection or from a non-infectious process.-Abdominal pain and tenderness:The main manifestations of...

, endocarditis

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. It usually involves the heart valves . Other structures that may be involved include the interventricular septum, the chordae tendineae, the mural endocardium, or even on intracardiac devices...

, pneumonia

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...

, cerebritis

Cerebritis

Cerebritis is an infection of the brain that normally leads to the formation of an abscess within the brain itself.Cerebritis is an inflammation of the cerebrum, a structure within the brain which performs a number of important functions, including most of the things which people associate with...

 and subcutaneous infection.

The cephalosporins, a class of β-lactam antibiotics, were originally derived from Acremonium (which was previously known as "Cephalosporium").

External links

• Index Fungorum
• http://www.mycology.adelaide.edu.au/Fungal_Descriptions/Hyphomycetes_(hyaline)/