Cladophialophora bantiana is a dematiaceous fungus with a predilection for causing central nervous system (CNS) infection manifesting as brain abscess in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. In this paper, we report comprehensive genomic analyses of C. bantiana isolated from the brain abscess of an immunocompetent man, the first reported case in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The identity of the fungus was determined using combined morphological analysis and multilocus phylogeny. The draft genome sequence of a neurotrophic fungus, C. bantiana UM 956 was generated using Illumina sequencing technology to dissect its genetic fundamental and basic biology. The assembled 37.1 Mb genome encodes 12,155 putative coding genes, of which, 1.01% are predicted transposable elements. Its genomic features support its saprophytic lifestyle, renowned for its versatility in decomposing hemicellulose and pectin components. The C. bantiana UM 956 was also found to carry some important putative genes that engaged in pathogenicity, iron uptake and homeostasis as well as adaptation to various stresses to enable the organism to survive in hostile microenvironment. This wealth of resource will further catalyse more downstream functional studies to provide better understanding on how this fungus can be a successful and persistent pathogen in human.
Phaeohyphomycosis consists of a heterogeneous group of fungal infections caused by more than 80 genera and species. Subcutaneous infection usually follows traumatic implantation of a fungus by a wooden splinter that the fungus inh abits as a saprophyte. The growth of the fungus forms verrucous plaques or a painless subcutaneous abscess. We report a subcutaneous cyst (phaeomycotic cyst) in the leg of a 60-year-old woman that developed after a thorn prick at that site. With the provisional diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst, she was treated with a simple excision of the cyst. However, histopathological examination of the cyst revealed the typical features of fungus, and a definitive diagnosis of a phaeomycotic cyst was made. As the infective aetiology was not considered clinically, the specimen was not sent for microbiological culture, and hence the exact species was not identified. As the lesion was localised, simple excision was sufficient treatment, and no recurrence was observed during 12 months of follow-up.