Lichtheimia is one of several fungi causing mucormycosis, with two main species (L. ramosa and L. corymbifera) being involved. Does not produce BDG antigen in its cell wall.
Factsheets
Lichtheimia corymbifera
| NAMES Lichtheimia corymbifera (synonymous with Mycocladus corymbifera, Absidia corymbifera) |
| NATURAL HABITAT Most common in soil, decaying plant debris and foodstuffs. |
| GEOGRAPHY Worldwide |
| PREVALENCE Like other Zygomycetes, frequency of infection is more common with immunocompromised hosts. It is becoming more common in individuals without predisposing factors (e.g. in traumatic injuries). |
| DISEASES It is one of only a few Mucormycotina that can cause disease in humans and animals. HUMANS: Associated with cutaneous, pulmonary, rhinocerebral, central nervous system and disseminated infections. ANIMALS: Often associated with mycotic abortion. |
| CULTURE Great expertise is required to differentiate from L. corymbifera. Identification by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing is recommended. Cultures are fast growing, pale white in colour, turning grey with age. Microscopically, sporangiospores appear mostly subspherical to broadly ellipsoidal. It has slower growth than L. ramosa, especially at higher temperatures. Biosafety level 2 |
| ANTIFUNGAL RESISTANCE All isolates are resistant to fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole and the echinocandins. Usually susceptible to amphotericin B and posaconazole. Variably susceptible to itraconazole. |
| INDUSTRIAL USES Can be used in studies of thermophilic moulds. |
Microscopic morphology of L. corymbifera 
Culture of L. corymbifera
Sporangiophore of L. corymbifera
Lichtheimia ramosa
| NAMES Lichtheimia ramosa (synonymous with Mycocladus ramosus, Absidia ramosa) |
| NATURAL HABITAT Most common in soil, decaying plant debris and foodstuffs. |
| GEOGRAPHY Worldwide |
| PREVALENCE Like other Zygomycetes, frequency of infection is more common with immunocompromised hosts. It is becoming increasingly common in individuals without predisposing factors (e.g. in traumatic injuries). |
| DISEASES It is one of only a few Mucormycotina that can cause disease in humans and animals. HUMANS: Associated with cutaneous, pulmonary, rhinocerebral, central nervous system and disseminated infections. ANIMALS: Often associated with mycotic abortion. |
| CULTURE Great expertise required to differentiate from L. corymbifera. Identification by ITS sequencing is recommended. Cultures are fast growing, pale white in colour, turning grey with age. Microscopically, sporangiospores appear ellipsoidal to cylindrical or subspherica. These display a greater growth rate than L. corymbifera, especially at higher temperatures. Biosafety level 2 |
| ANTIFUNGAL RESISTANCE All isolates are intrinsically resistant to fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole and the echinocandins. Usually susceptible to amphotericin B and posaconazole. Variably susceptible to itraconazole. Studies do indicate that this species shows in vitro higher MICs than L. corymbifera. |
| INDUSTRIAL USES Can be used in studies of thermophilic moulds. |