Exophiala is a genus of anamorphicfungi in the Herpotrichiellaceae family. The widespread genus was said to contain 28 species in a 2008 publication.[2] There are now 91 current names listed on Index Fungorum.[3] The genus was formally described by J. W. Carmichael in 1966.[4]
Exophiala has been implicated in causing 'saxophone lung' or hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a disease that can be contracted by woodwind instrumentalists (saxophonists, clarinettists, oboists, etc.). A case study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology highlighted that it is possible to develop this allergic pulmonary disease through improper cleaning of instruments.[5][6]
Some sources equate Hortaea werneckii, Cladosporium werneckii, Exophiala werneckii, and Phaeoannellomyces werneckii.[7]
Exophiala jeanselmei causes maduromycosis.[8] This is usually an asymptomatic disease with black or brown macular lesions which enlarge by peripheral extension. The lesion is darkest at the periphery and has very distinct margins. Lab diagnosis- using a KOH mount. Typically seen are brown septate branching hyphae or dark brown budding cells. Treatment is topical antifungal: miconazole or econazole.
There are also species of Exophiala that are dark septate endophytes, a type of fungus that grows in association with plant roots. Studies with both Exophiala salmonis and Exophiala pisciphila have found beneficial effects of innoculation with the fungus on plant health when grown under heavy metal stress.[9][10]
