Another zygomycete organism similar to Rhizopus spp. is Mucor spp. This rapidly growing organism is also an opportunistic pathogen for immune compromised individuals. It can cause mucormycosis. It is in the news recently (September, 2015) as a possible source for transplant patient deaths at Pittsburgh's UMPC Presbyterian - WESA FM.
The spores are round and there is no root like structure as there is for Rhizopus spp. The spores do not have distinguishing characteristics and are not identifiable on an Air-O-Cell cassette sample.
In culture the colony grows rapidly at 25 and for some pathogenic species at 37 degrees C. Growth is rapid on MEA and PDA and much slower on DG-18 due to the inhibition by dichloran. The colony growth on agar is a light brown in contrast to the white mycelium with dark pepper like spots of Rhizopus spp.
The spores are round and there is no root like structure as there is for Rhizopus spp. The spores do not have distinguishing characteristics and are not identifiable on an Air-O-Cell cassette sample.
In culture the colony grows rapidly at 25 and for some pathogenic species at 37 degrees C. Growth is rapid on MEA and PDA and much slower on DG-18 due to the inhibition by dichloran. The colony growth on agar is a light brown in contrast to the white mycelium with dark pepper like spots of Rhizopus spp.
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| Mucor spp. line drawings showing various stages of the sporangium - N. Carlson |
Mucor plumbeus 400x growth in culture -lactophenol cotton blue stain - N Carlson
Mucor racemosus growth in culture 400x lactophenol cotton blue stain - N. Carlson
Mucor spp. lactic acid stain - N. Carlson
Mucor spp. colony growth on a culture plate - N. Carlson
Mucor spp. by the IAQ video network.
Nice informative post thanks for sharing knowledge. in the present pandemic situation it is worth knowing about this enemy.
ReplyDeletemucormycosis