fungus fungal infectious agent opportunistic fungal pathogen primary fungal pathogen dematiaceous fungus dematiaceous fungi A heterogenous grouping of fungus (mostly mold, a few yeasts) that is chracterized by the presence of melanin in their cell walls that can cause a wide range of diseases including phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, and eumycotic mycetoma. These organisms are widespread in the environment, being found in soil, wood, and decomposing plant debris. Cutaneous, subcutaneous, and corneal infections with dematiaceous fungi occur worldwide, but are more common in tropical and subtropical climates. Infection results from traumatic implantation. Most cases occur in immunocompetent individuals. Dematiaceous moulds are also important causes of invasive sinusitis and allergic fungal sinusitis. Infection is thought to follow inhalation. more info: https://doi.org/10.1179/joc.2003.15.Supplement-2.36