Phonetic: Rye-no-clad-ee-ella

Rhinocladiella is widespread in warm, temperate areas, naturally occurring in soil and woody plant materials as a saprophyte. It may also be found in marine habitats. Rhinocladiella is often found in ventilation systems. One species is found on brick and adjacent timber in wine cellars. It is among the principal fungi that cause chromoblastomycosis, a disease characterized by a chronic localized infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that follows traumatic implantation of the causative agent. The lesions are verrucoid, ulcerated, and crusted, and may be flat or raised 1-3 cm. The mycosis usually remains localized with extensive keloid formation. Forms of the disease include verrucous dermatitis, brain abscess syndrome, single or multiple cysts, local or systemic lesions. The organism enters into the skin by minor injuries, such as cuts or splinters when barefoot. It is also known to cause phaeohyphomycosis, a subcutaneous systemic infection. Morphological characteristics - Conidiophores are simple, or branched in some species. Conidia are apical on new growing points of the conidiophore, subhyaline to dark, mostly 1-celled, ovoid to oblong-ellipsoid, and dry. Culture - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.