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Emergomyces: a New Genus of Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens Causing Disseminated Disease among Immunocompromised Persons Globally

  • Epidemiology of Fungal Infections (T Chiller and JW Baddley, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The emergence of a group of previously unknown or unrecognized dimorphic fungal species causing systemic human disease resulted in taxonomic shifts and the creation of a new genus, Emergomyces, within Onygenales. We review the morphology, taxonomy, physiology, and ecology of Emergomyces spp., and the epidemiology, clinicopathology, diagnosis, and management of disease.

Recent Findings

Emergomyces species have been reported as causes of human disease in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Es. pasteurianus is most cosmopolitan, and Es. africanus, in southern Africa, causes the largest reported disease burden; in fact, emergomycosis is the most common endemic mycosis diagnosed in South Africa. The classic clinical picture is of disseminated disease, often with cutaneous involvement, in immunocompromised individuals.

Summary

Members of the genus Emergomyces are uncommon but important agents of systemic disease in immunocompromised hosts worldwide. Knowledge gaps include the biology of the fungus, and the pathophysiology and management of disease.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Ilan S. Schwartz

  2. San Antonio Center for Medical Mycology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Ilan S. Schwartz

  3. National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Centre for Healthcare-associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Tsidiso G. Maphanga & Nelesh P. Govender

  4. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Tsidiso G. Maphanga

  5. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Nelesh P. Govender

  6. University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Nelesh P. Govender

Authors
  1. Ilan S. Schwartz
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  2. Tsidiso G. Maphanga
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  3. Nelesh P. Govender
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Correspondence to Ilan S. Schwartz.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Epidemiology of Fungal Infections

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Schwartz, I.S., Maphanga, T.G. & Govender, N.P. Emergomyces: a New Genus of Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens Causing Disseminated Disease among Immunocompromised Persons Globally. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 12, 44–50 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-018-0308-y

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