Physiological characteristics and mycotoxins of human clinical isolates of Fusarium species

Thirty-three strains of Fusarium species from clinical sources including F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme, F. proliferatum, F. subglutinans and f. chlamydosporum were examined for their physiological characteristics and mycotoxin production. Of this collection 29 exhibited growth at 37 °C and 21 were resistant to cycloheximide. Two strains of F. moniliforme and two strains of f. proliferatum produced fumonisins. No strains in this collection produced detectable amounts of trichothecenes. All 18 strains of F. solani tested produced the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A. The cyclosporin A-producing ability of clinical isolates of f. solani may influence their pathogenic potential.