Abstract:
The newly described thermally dimorphic fungal genus Emergomyces comprises human pathogens that cause systemic mycoses in immunocompromised persons globally (1). Among these fungi, Emergomyces africanus (formerly Emmonsia sp. [2]) is the species responsible for the most human disease. HIV-associated emergomycosis is the most common endemic mycosis in South Africa and is associated with a high case-fatality ratio (3,4).
Although an environmental reservoir for Es. africanus has not been established, soil is presumed to harbor the mycelial phase (2). We tested soils in South Africa for Es. africanus by using molecular- and culture-based methods.
