Mucor

Mucor mucedo

Mucor, also called head mold, is a genus of fungi with around 40 species that feeds on dead organic matter.

Occurrence

Mucor species are ubiquitous in the environment, mainly on vegetal organic material such as moist bread, fruit or vegetables and manure. Rarely be found in these animals and humans.

Pathogenicity

Mucor species are cause of Mucormycosen. Inhalation of this fungus enters the lungs, from where it passes through the blood to other organs. Later can also be spread in the central nervous system. Pseudo thrombosis are very rare. This is done by ingrowth of the fungus through the vessel walls. An infection will usually only in highly immunocompromised patients (eg AIDS, chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation) instead, runs there but quickly progressing and very often fatal.

Breeding

Culturing can be done in Kimmig agar. The growth on the agar plate shows up after a few days in long fibers, grobwolligen Hyphengeflechten. The mycelium is first white, later gray with numerous black dots, the sporangia.

Types (selection)

• M. amphibiorum
• M. circinelloides
• M. hiemalis
• M. indicus
• M. mucedo
• M. paronychius
• Piriformis
• Racemose head mold ( Mucor racemosus )