Taxonomy of Fungi Causing Mucormycosis and Entomophthoramycosis (Zygomycosis) and Nomenclature of the Disease: Molecular Mycologic Perspectives

Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the phylum Zygomycota to be polyphyietic, and the taxa conventionally classified in Zygomycota are now distributed among the new phylum Glomeromycota and 4 subphyla incertae sedis (uncertain placement). Because the nomenclature of the disease zygomycosis was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2012-02, Vol.54 (suppl_1), p.S8-S15
Main Author: Kwon-Chung, Kyung J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological taxonomies
Classification
DNA, Ribosomal - genetics
Entomophthorales
Entomophthorales - classification
Entomophthorales - genetics
Entomophthorales - pathogenicity
Entomophthorales - physiology
Evolution, Molecular
Fungal diseases
Fungal infections
Fungi
Genes, Fungal
Humans
Hyphae
Mucorales
Mucorales - classification
Mucorales - genetics
Mucorales - pathogenicity
Mucorales - physiology
Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis - classification
Mucormycosis - microbiology
Mucormycosis - pathology
Phylogenetics
Phylogeny
Ribosome Subunits, Small - genetics
RNA, Ribosomal - genetics
Species Specificity
Spores, Fungal - physiology
Supplement
Taxonomy
Zygomycosis
Zygomycosis - classification
Zygomycosis - microbiology
Zygomycosis - pathology
Zygomycota
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Summary:Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the phylum Zygomycota to be polyphyietic, and the taxa conventionally classified in Zygomycota are now distributed among the new phylum Glomeromycota and 4 subphyla incertae sedis (uncertain placement). Because the nomenclature of the disease zygomycosis was based on the phylum Zygomycota (Zygomycetes) in which the etiologic agents had been classified, the new classification profoundly affects the name of the disease. Zygomycosis was originally described as a convenient and inclusive name for 2 clinicopathologically different diseases, mucormycosis caused by members of Mucorales and entomophthoramycosis caused by species in the order Entomophthorales of Zygomycota. Without revision of original definition, the name "zygomycosis," however, has more often been used as a synonym only for mucormycosis. This article reviews the progress and changes in taxonomy and nomenclature of Zygomycota and the disease zygomycosis. The article also reiterates the reasons why the classic names "mucormycosis" and "entomophthoramycosis" are more appropriate than "zygomycosis."
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1093/cid/cir864