Identification and characterization of<i>Daldinia eschscholtzii</i>isolated from skin scrapings, nails, and blood

Abstract

BackgroundDaldinia eschscholtziiis a filamentous wood-inhabiting endophyte commonly found in woody plants. Here, we report the identification and characterization of nineD. eschscholtziiisolates from skin scrapings, nail clippings, and blood.MethodsThe nine isolates were identified based on colony morphology, light microscopy, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogeny.In vitroantifungal susceptibility of the fungal isolates was evaluated by the Etest to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).ResultsThe nine isolates examined were confirmed asD. eschscholtzii. They exhibited typical features ofDaldiniasp. on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, with white felty colonies and black-gray coloration on the reverse side. Septate hyphae, branching conidiophore with conidiogenous cells budding from its terminus, and nodulisporium-like conidiophores were observed under the microscope. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nine isolates were clustered within theD. eschscholtziispecies complex. All the isolates exhibited low MICs against azole agents (voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole), as well as amphotericin B, with MIC of less than 1 µg/ml.DiscussionEarly and definitive identification ofD. eschscholtziiis vital to reducing misuse of antimicrobial agents. Detailed morphological and molecular characterization as well as antifungal profiling ofD. eschscholtziiprovide the basis for future studies on its biology, pathogenicity, and medicinal potential.</jats:sec