Dematiaceous Molds.

Dematiaceous fungi are the cause of phaeohyphomycosis, a term that encompasses many clinical syndromes, from local infections due to trauma to widely disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients. These fungi are unique owing to the presence of melanin in their cell walls, which imparts the characteristic dark color to their spores and hyphae. Melanin may also be a virulence factor. Local infection may be cured with excision alone, whereas systemic disease is often refractory to therapy. Azoles have the most consistent in vitro activity. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis and treatment of these uncommon infections.