Fungal
🔴 Fatal
Exophiala Fungal Infection
🦠 Exophiala angulospora, E. pisciphila, E. salmonis · Herpotrichiellaceae
📋 Overview
Exophiala species are melanised (black) fungi classified as dematiaceous. They cause systemic phaeohyphomycosis in fish, forming black pigmented granulomata in the liver, spleen, kidney, and brain. The condition is associated with feeding raw fish products and is also zoonotic in immunocompromised humans.
📊 Key Facts
Causative Agent
Exophiala angulospora, E. pisciphila, E. salmonis
Agent Family
Herpotrichiellaceae
Onset to Peak
weeks–months
Geographic Range
Worldwide, particularly in cold fresh water
Transmission Routes
Water-borne spores; ingestion of contaminated feed
Primary Host
Salmonids, particularly Atlantic Salmon and Rainbow Trout
Vaccine
✗ None / Experimental
🩺 Clinical Signs
Black melanised nodules on internal organs and occasionally on skin surface, ascites, liver enlargement, lethargy, chronic weight loss.
🔬 Symptoms
🔬
Black nodules in internal organs
Systemic Chronic
🔬
Liver enlargement
Hepatic Chronic
🔬
Ascites
Abdominal Subacute
🔬
Progressive wasting
Systemic Chronic
🧪 Diagnosis
Histopathology (black pigmented hyphae in granulomata), fungal culture (slow-growing black colonies), molecular identification (ITS sequencing).
💊 Treatment
ℹ️ Treatment options are limited. Consult a qualified fish health professional.
No licensed treatment; voriconazole, itraconazole used experimentally.
🛡️ Prevention
ℹ️ Prevention is the most effective strategy for managing this disease in aquaculture and aquarium settings.
Avoid raw marine fish feeds, use pelleted diets, biosecurity.