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Unknown 42 = Lichtheimia corymbifera
Histopathology: GMS stained tissue section from a lung showing typical zygomycete hyphae and by chance a sporangium of Lichtheimia corymbifera.
Culture: Colonies are fast growing, floccose, white at first becoming pale grey with age, and up to 1.5 cm high.
Microscopy: Sporangiophores are hyaline to faintly pigmented, simple or sometimes branched arising solitary from the stolons, in groups of three, or in whorls of up to seven. Sporangia are small (10-40 um in diameter) and are typically pyriform in shape with a characteristic conical-shaped columella and pronounced apophysis, often with a short projection at the top. Sporangiospores vary from subglobose to oblong-ellipsoidal (3.0-7.0 x 2.5-4.5 um), are hyaline to light grey and are smooth-walled. Temperature: optimum 35-37C; maximum 45C. RG-2 organism.
Comment: Lichtheimia corymbifera is a common human pathogen, causing pulmonary, rhinocerebral, disseminated, CNS or cutaneous types of infection. It is also often associated with animal disease, especially mycotic abortion. L. corymbifera has a world-wide distribution mostly in association with soil and decaying plant debris.
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