A New European Species of The Opportunistic Pathogenic Genus Saksenaea - S. dorisiae Sp. Nov.

Abstract

A new species Saksenaea dorisiae (Mucoromycotina, Mucorales), recently isolated from a water sample originating from a private well in a rural area of Serbia (Europe), is described and illustrated. The new taxon is well supported by phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), domains D1 and D2 of the 28S rRNA gene (LSU), and translation elongation factor-1 gene (TEF-1), and it is resolved in a clade with S. oblongispora and S. trapezispora. This fungus is characteristic by its moderately slow growth at 15 and 37{degrees}C, sparse rhizoids, conical-shaped sporangia and short-cylindrical sporangiospores. S. dorisiae is a member of the opportunistic pathogenic genus often involved in severe human and animal mucormycoses encountered in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its sensitivity to several conventional antifungals (terbinafine and ciclopirox), the fungus is potentially causing clinically challenging infections. This is the first novel taxon of the genus Saksenaea described from the moderately continental climate area of Europe.