Microbiology
Fungus. Includes E. dermatitidis, E. jeanselmei, E. spinifera and 20 plus others. A black yeast.
Epidemiologic Risks
Found decaying wood and soil.
One outbreak of Exophiala dermatitidis fungemic line infections associated with a product from a compounding pharmacy (PubMed).
Syndromes
Chromomycosis and Madura foot.
A variety of invasive diseases, usually in poor hosts. "18 of 29 known Exophiala species have been proven or were suggested to cause infections in or colonization of humans and animals." (PubMed)
Treatment
Surgery plus ? Posaconazole, Amphotericin, voriconazole, and itraconazole have good mic's. Exophiala attenuata is resistant to amphotericin.
Notes
Might be the cause of 'Saxophone Lung' or a hypersensitivity pneumonitis, seen in woodwind instrumentalists (saxophonists, clarinetists, oboists etc.). A saxophone is a woodwind? It has no wood.
Curious Cases
Relevant links to my Medscape blog
Last update: 05/05/18