Molecular identification of unusual Mycetoma agents isolated from patients in Venezuela

Olga C. Rojas, Rafael B.R. León-Cachón, Maria Moreno-Treviño, Gloria M. González*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous, subcutaneous disease endemic in tropical and subtropical countries. It is currently a health problem in rural areas of Africa, Asia and South America. Nine cases of mycetoma were analysed in a retrospective study. All isolates were identified by morphological features. The level of species identification was reached by molecular tools. Definitive identification of fungi was performed using sequence analysis of the ITS of the ribosomal DNA region and the ribosomal large-subunit D1/D2. Identification of actinomycetes was accomplished by the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Six unusual clinical isolates were identified: Aspergillus ustus, Cyphellophora oxyspora, Exophiala oligosperma, Madurella pseudomycetomatis, Nocardia farcinica and Nocardia wallacei. The prevalence of mycetoma in Venezuela remains unknown. This study represents the first report in the literature of mycetoma caused by unusual pathogens identified by molecular techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-135
Number of pages7
JournalMycoses
Volume60
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

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