Seyedmousavi, S., Samerpitak, K., Rijs, A. J. M. M., Melchers, W. J. G., Mouton, J. W., Verweij, P. E., and de Hoog, G. S.
ABSTRACTSpecies of Verruconisand species of Ochroconisare dematiaceous fungi generally found in the environment but having the ability to infect humans, dogs, cats, poultry, and fish. This study presents the antifungal susceptibility patterns of these fungi at the species level. Forty strains originating from clinical and environmental sources were phylogenetically identified at the species level by using sequences of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (rDNA ITS). In vitroantifungal susceptibility testing was performed against eight antifungals, using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method. The geometric mean MICs for amphotericin B (AMB), flucytosine (5FC), fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), and posaconazole (POS) and minimum effective concentrations (MECs) for caspofungin (CAS) and anidulafungin (AFG) across the Ochroconisand Verruconisspecies were as follows, in increasing order. For Verruconisspecies, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.04; POS, 0.25; ITC, 0.37; AMB, 0.50; CAS, 0.65; VRC, 0.96; 5FC, 10.45; and FLC, 47.25. For Ochroconisspecies, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.06; POS, 0.11; CAS, 0.67; VRC, 2.76; ITC, 3.94; AMB, 5.68; 5FC, 34.48; and FLC, 61.33. Antifungal susceptibility of Ochroconisand Verruconiswas linked with phylogenetic distance and thermotolerance. Echinocandins and POS showed the greatest in vitroactivity, providing possible treatment options for Ochroconisand Verruconisinfections.