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Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi. Fonsecaea monophora, a new species segregated from F. pedrosoi, may be the most prevalent pathogen of chromoblastomycosis in southern China. Herein, we report a rare case of chromoblastomycosis in a man with nephritic syndrome. He presented with an asymptomatic red plaque on the back of his left wrist that had appeared and enlarged over a period of 1.5 years, without any prior trauma. He was initially diagnosed with sporotrichosis. However, he did not respond to a 6-month course of potassium iodide treatment. The lesion slowly enlarged and became verrucous instead. Concurrently, a similar maculopapule appeared on his left forearm. Histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen indicated the presence of sclerotic bodies in the dermis. The fungus was identified as Fonsecaea spp. based on the results of a slide culture; in addition, the agent was confirmed to be F. monophora by using molecular methods. The patient demonstrated marked improvement after receiving appropriate antifungal therapy for 3 months. To our knowledge, this is the first case of chromoblastomycosis caused by F. monophora in an immunosuppressed patient. The identification of the agent by molecular techniques is important for epidemiological purposes. Thus, we believe that combination therapy with itraconazole and terbinafine would be a suitable option for infections caused by F. monophora.

An Embellisia sp. has been established as the cause of a new disease of the herbaceous perennial forage legume, 'standing milkvetch' (Astragalus adsurgens Pall.) in Northern China, which severely reduces plant density and degrades A. adsurgens stands. The disease was common at an experimental location in Gansu Province where it was recognized by the occurrence of stunted plants with reddish-brown stems and yellow and necrotic leaf blades. An Embellisia sp. was isolated from symptomatic stem, leaf blade, petiole, and root tissues at varying frequencies of up to 90%. Single-spore isolates grew very slowly on PCA, PDA, V-8 and, wheat hay decoction agar. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculation of seeds, dipping 2-day-old pre-germinated seedlings in inoculum and spraying inoculum on 6-month-old plants. Symptoms on test plants included yellow leaf lesions, brown lesions on stems and petioles, stunted side-shoots with yellow, small, distorted and necrotic leaves, shoot blight, bud death, crown rot, root rot, and plant death. The disease is named as 'yellow stunt and root rot' of A. adsurgens to distinguish it from diseases caused by other known pathogens. Embellisia sp. is also pathogenic to A. sinicus but not to 11 other tested plant species.

Three species of Rhytisma are described based on recently collected specimens from the Anhui province, China. Rhytisma anhuiense is a new species causing a serious tar spot disease on Rhododendron simsii. Rhytisma yuexiense is a new species, which develops its stromata only on fallen leaves of Rhododendron ovatum. Rhytisma himalense on Ilex fargesii is a known species and probably widely distributed in China. Including the two new species, 11 species of Rhytisma are known from China which are presented in a key.