Description: | Magnified 250X, this photomicrograph revealed some of the histopathologic cytoarchitectural features exhibited by a single fungal granule of Acremonium falciforme, found in this Gomeri and H&E-stained tissue sample. A. falciforme fungus is a known causative agent for the disease in humans known as eumycotic white grain mycetoma, a chronic granulomatous inflammatory condition mainly affecting the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues, but has been found to also infect the eye (keratitis), nails (onychomycosis), and if systemically disseminated, can infect the heart (endocarditis), brain (meningitis), bones (osteomyelitis), and abdominal cavity (peritonitis). Immunocompromised individuals, such as those with AIDS, or undergoing chemo- or organ transplant therapy, are most susceptible due to the opportunistic nature of this organism. |