Cunninghamella bertholletiae

Background

• Species of dematiaceous mold within the order Mucorales

Microbiology

• Macroscopic:
  • Very rapid growth
  • Cottony texture
  • White to grey on surface, reverse pale
• Microscopic:
  • Broad hyphae, aseptate
  • Branched sporangiophores terminating in a vesicle
  • One spored sponrangioles formed on the denticles of the vesicle surface
• Temperature:
  • Non-pathogenic forms will grow at 40ºC

Clinical Manifestations

• Occasionally can cause pulmonary or disseminated mucormycosis in a severely ill patient
• Angioinvasive
• Likely the worst prognosis of all the Mucorales