Geotrichum is a genus of
fungi
A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from ...
found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal
human flora
The human microbiome is the aggregate of all microbiota that reside on or within human tissues and biofluids along with the corresponding anatomical sites in which they reside, including the skin, mammary glands, seminal fluid, uterus, ovarian ...
and is isolated from
sputum
Sputum is mucus that is coughed up from the lower airways (the trachea and bronchi). In medicine, sputum samples are usually used for a naked eye examination, microbiological investigation of respiratory infections and cytological investigations ...
and
feces
Feces ( or faeces), known colloquially and in slang as poo and poop, are the solid or semi-solid remains of food that was not digested in the small intestine, and has been broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. Feces contain a relati ...
. It was first described in 1809 by
Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link
Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link (2 February 1767 – 1 January 1851) was a German naturalist and botanist.
Biography
Link was born at Hildesheim as a son of the minister August Heinrich Link (1738–1783), who taught him love of nature throug ...
.
The genus ''Geotrichum'' includes over 100
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
. Some are welcome and even considered desirable. For example, skilled cheesemakers create conditions favorable for the formation of a ''Geotrichum candidum'' rind on certain goat's milk and cow's milk cheeses, proudly declaring the rind to be the most flavorful part of such cheeses. Another example is the presence of some Geotrichum species in fermented
poi.
The most clinically relevant species is ''
Saprochaeta capitata'', formerly known as ''Geotrichum capitatum'', with most cases occurring in Europe.
''
Saprochaete clavata'', formerly known as ''
Geotrichum clavatum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
'', is an uncommon infection that has been associated with sporadic outbreaks.
''
Geotrichum candidum
''Geotrichum candidum'' is a fungus which is a member of the human microbiome, notably associated with skin, sputum, and faeces where it occurs in 25–30% of specimens. It is common in soil and has been isolated from soil collected around the w ...
'' is closely related to ''
Saprochaeta'' sp., rarely isolated but may cause invasive and disseminated disease with high mortality
Yeast
Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and at least 1,500 species are currently recognized. They are estimated to constitut ...
-like and
mold
A mold () or mould () is one of the structures certain fungus, fungi can form. The dust-like, colored appearance of molds is due to the formation of Spore#Fungi, spores containing Secondary metabolite#Fungal secondary metabolites, fungal seco ...
-like strains have been identified.
The most important risk factor for invasive fungal infection related to ''Geotrichum'' is severe immunosuppression, especially in hematological malignancies as
acute leukemia
Acute leukemia or acute leukaemia is a family of serious medical conditions relating to an original diagnosis of leukemia. In most cases, these can be classified according to the lineage, myeloid or lymphoid, of the malignant cells that grow uncon ...
, associated with profound and prolonged
neutropenia
Neutropenia is an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood. Neutrophils make up the majority of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria ...
.
Fungemia is very common, often with deep organ involvement (lung, liver, spleen, and central nervous system) and also skin and mucous membranes lesions.
There is no optimal treatment for ''Geotrichum'' infections but based on existing data guidelines recommend
amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication used for serious fungal infections and leishmaniasis. The fungal infections it is used to treat include mucormycosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis. Fo ...
with or without co-administered
flucytosine
Flucytosine, also known as 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), is an antifungal medication. It is specifically used, together with amphotericin B, for serious ''Candida'' infections and cryptococcosis. It may be used by itself or with other antifungals for ...
or with
voriconazole
Voriconazole, sold under the brand name Vfend among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections. This includes aspergillosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, penicilliosis, and infections by '' ...
showing good in vitro susceptibility.
Mortality associated with Geotrichum-related infections is high, ranging from 57% to 80%.
Increasing the knowledge on ''Geotrichum'' related invasive fungal infections may improve early diagnosis and adequate treatment of these severe infections.
History
The genus ''Geotrichum'' was described by
Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link
Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link (2 February 1767 – 1 January 1851) was a German naturalist and botanist.
Biography
Link was born at Hildesheim as a son of the minister August Heinrich Link (1738–1783), who taught him love of nature throug ...
in 1809 to accommodate the species ''G. candidum'' found on decaying leaves. Since then, over 130 taxa have been described in the genus, and hundreds of synonyms have been generated.
For example ''G. candidum'' was misclassified as the ''Oidium lactis'' in much early literature.
Species of ''Geotrichum'' resemble the genera ''
Trichosporon
''Trichosporon'' is a genus of anamorphic fungi in the family Trichosporonaceae. All species of ''Trichosporon'' are yeasts with no known teleomorphs (sexual states). Most are typically isolated from soil, but several species occur as a natural ...
'' and ''Protendomycopsis''; however, ''Geotrichum'' is of
ascomycetous
Ascomycota is a phylum of the kingdom Fungi that, together with the Basidiomycota, forms the subkingdom Dikarya. Its members are commonly known as the sac fungi or ascomycetes. It is the largest phylum of Fungi, with over 64,000 species. The de ...
affiliation whereas the latter are members of the
Basidiomycota
Basidiomycota () is one of two large divisions that, together with the Ascomycota, constitute the subkingdom Dikarya (often referred to as the "higher fungi") within the kingdom Fungi. Members are known as basidiomycetes. More specifically, Basi ...
. Species of ''Geotrichum'' are occasionally mistaken for fast growing members of the genus ''
Dipodascus
''Dipodascus'' is a genus of fungi in the family Dipodascaceae
The Dipodascaceae are a family of yeasts in the order Saccharomycetales. According to the 2007 Outline of Ascomycota, the family contains four genera; however, the placement of ''Sp ...
'', which are characterized by irregularly branched, 10-14 μm wide
hyphae
A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium.
Structure
A hypha consists of one or ...
and the production of single-spored
asci ASCI or Asci may refer to:
* Advertising Standards Council of India
* Asci, the plural of ascus, in fungal anatomy
* Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative
* American Society for Clinical Investigation
* Argus Sour Crude Index
* Association of ...
. However, unlike ''Geotrichum'', members of the genus ''Dipodascus'' lack dichotomous branching of the peripheral hyphae and their growth rates are generally less than 3 mm per day.
Species
Species in this genus include the following:
*''
Geotrichum amycelicum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum armillariae
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum asteroides
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum beigelii
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum bipunctatum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum bogolepoffii
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum bostonense
Geotrichum is a genus of fungus, fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first describ ...
''
*''
Geotrichum brasiliense''
*''
Geotrichum brocianum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum brocqii''
*''
Geotrichum brocquii''
*''
Geotrichum bryndzae''
*''
Geotrichum byssinum''
*''
Geotrichum candidum
''Geotrichum candidum'' is a fungus which is a member of the human microbiome, notably associated with skin, sputum, and faeces where it occurs in 25–30% of specimens. It is common in soil and has been isolated from soil collected around the w ...
''
Link 1809
**''
Geotrichum candidum var. citri-aurantii''
(Ferraris
Ferrari Società per Azioni, S.p.A. (; ) is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988) in 1939 from the Alfa Romeo racing division as ''Auto Avio Costruzioni'', the company buil ...
) Cif. & F. Cif. 1955
*''
Geotrichum caoi
Geotrichum is a genus of fungus, fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first describ ...
''
*''
Geotrichum capitatum''
*''
Geotrichum carabidarum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 1 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum cerebrinum''
*''
Geotrichum cinereum''
*''
Geotrichum cinnamomeum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungus, fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first describ ...
''
*''
Geotrichum citri-aurantii''
*''
Geotrichum clavatum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum coccophilum''
*''
Geotrichum coremiiforme''
*''
Geotrichum cuboideum''
*''
Geotrichum cucujoidarum''
*''
Geotrichum cutaneum''
*''
Geotrichum cyphellae''
*''
Geotrichum decipiens''
*''
Geotrichum dermatitidis''
*''
Geotrichum doliiforme''
*''
Geotrichum dombrayi''
*''
Geotrichum dulcitum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 1 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum eriense''
*''
Geotrichum europaeum''
*''
Geotrichum famatum''
*''
Geotrichum fermentans''
*''
Geotrichum fici
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum flavobrunneum''
*''
Geotrichum flexuosum''
*''
Geotrichum fragrans''
*''
Geotrichum funiculosum''
*''
Geotrichum ghanense''
*''
Geotrichum giganteum''
*''
Geotrichum gigas
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum gracile''
*''
Geotrichum hirtum''
*''
Geotrichum histeridarum''
*''
Geotrichum immite''
*''
Geotrichum infestans
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 1 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum ingens''
*''
Geotrichum issavi''
*''
Geotrichum javanense''
*''
Geotrichum keratinophilum''
*''
Geotrichum kieta''
*''
Geotrichum klebahnii''
( Stautz) Morenz 1960
*''
Geotrichum linkii''
*''
Geotrichum loubieri''
*''
Geotrichum louisianoideum''
*''
Geotrichum ludwigii''
*''
Geotrichum ludwigii''
*''
Geotrichum lutescens''
*''
Geotrichum magnum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 1 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum malti-juniperini''
*''
Geotrichum matalense''
*''
Geotrichum membranogenes''
*''
Geotrichum microsporum''
*''
Geotrichum muisa''
*''
Geotrichum multifermentans''
*''
Geotrichum muyaga''
*''
Geotrichum mycoderma''
*''
Geotrichum nobile''
*''
Geotrichum novakii''
*''
Geotrichum nyabisi''
*''
Geotrichum pararugosum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum penicillatum''
*''
Geotrichum phurueaense''
*''
Geotrichum phurueaensis''
*''
Geotrichum proteolyticum''
*''
Geotrichum pseudoalbicans''
*''
Geotrichum pseudocandidum''
*''
Geotrichum pulmonale''
*''
Geotrichum pulmoneum''
*''
Geotrichum purpurascens
Geotrichum is a genus of fungus, fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first describ ...
''
*''
Geotrichum rabesalama''
*''
Geotrichum rectangulatum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum redaelli''
*''
Geotrichum redaellii''
*''
Geotrichum restrictum
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 1 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum robustum''
*''
Geotrichum roseum''
*''
Geotrichum rotundatum''
*''
Geotrichum rugosum''
*''
Geotrichum sakuranei''
*''
Geotrichum scaettae
Mauginiella scaettae is an ascomycete fungus that is a plant pathogen
Plant pathology (also phytopathology) is the scientific study of diseases in plants caused by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiologi ...
''
*''
Geotrichum sericeum''
*''
Geotrichum siamense''
*''
Geotrichum siamensis''
*''
Geotrichum silvicola
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
*''
Geotrichum sphaeroides''
*''
Geotrichum spheroides''
*''
Geotrichum suaveolens
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum suaveolens
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum suaveolens
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum subtile''
*''
Geotrichum sulfureum''
*''
Geotrichum terrestre''
*''
Geotrichum vanriji''
*''
Geotrichum vanrijiae''
*''
Geotrichum vanryiae''
*''
Geotrichum variabile''
*''
Geotrichum variabilis''
*''
Geotrichum versiforme
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum virulens''
*''
Geotrichum vulgare
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in 18 ...
''
*''
Geotrichum vulgaris''
*''
Geotrichum zambettakesii''
*''
Geotrichum zingiberis-saccharati
Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces. It was first described in ...
''
References
{{-
Saccharomycetes
Fungal plant pathogens and diseases
Animal fungal diseases
Taxa named by Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link
Ascomycota genera