ABSTRACT
Chrysosporium species are filamentous soil sapro - phytes which have been linked to a relatively rare pulmonary infection termed adiaspiromycosis. This infection is initiated by the inhalation of Chrysosporium conidia into the lung. These greatly enlarge without budding to form thick-walled spherules, which mimic those of Coccidioides immitis, but lack endospores characteristic of the spherules of Coccidioides. The term adiaspore has been applied to this spherule, and isolated or disseminated pulmonary infection in humans and animals (burrowing rodents) is referred to as adiaspiromycosis. Depending on the inoculum density of inhaled conidia, two forms of disease may develop: solitary pulmonary granuloma and disseminated granulomatous pulmonary disease. Host immune status and the presence of comor bidities determine outcome, e.g. spontaneous remission or progressive, potentially fatal disease. Primary cutaneous infection, which can develop by traumatic introduction of Chrysosporium conidia or hyphae into subcutaneous tissue, is rare, although secondary dissemination from a pul - monary focus to skin, brain, lungs, liver and kidney may occur. Isolated cases involving bone, nose and paranasal sinuses, eye and heart (endocarditis) have also occurred.
