Repository series · ncbi-prjeb26989

Ascotricha chartarum infections in Kuwait

We describe the isolation and characterization of Ascotricha chartarum from broncho-alveolar lavage samples of two patients who had underlying pulmonary infection/condition of unknown etiology. The identity of the isolates was established by typical phenotypic characteristics and by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domains of rDNA and β-tubulin gene fragment. The report highlights that A. chartarum could be a new respiratory pathogen even though its etiological role in the disease process could not be established unequivocally as tissue biopsies were not available for culture and/or histopathological examination. Molecular methods are needed for accurate identification of A. chartarum due to its phenotypic similarities with Chaetomium spp. and other Chaetomium-like fungi.