ABSTRACT
Curvularia is a dematiaceous or pigmented fungus found ubiquitously in plants and soil of tropical and subtropical areas.1 It is a plant parasite that can cause blight in a variety of grasses. Human and animal infections with Curvularia have been described primarily as cutaneous or subcutaneous nodules, supercial eye infections, and respiratory allergic disease. Disseminated infections can also occur. The genus contains around 35 species, but most cases of human disease have been associated with only three species: Curvularia lunata, Curvularia pallescens, and Curvularia geniculata.2 The characteristic pigmented and curved conidia of Curvularia species range in size from 8 to 14 µm by 21 to 35 µm (Figure 18.1). Features that help differentiate between species include the number of septa, shape and color of the conidia, existence of a dark median septum, and prominence of the geniculate growth pattern.3
