The European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) is

Fungal properties and epidemiology Phaeohyphomycoses are rare opportunistic fungal infections caused by numerous genera of fungal moulds that characteristically produce melanin-pigmented ‘dematiaceous ’ (dark-coloured) hyphal elements in tissues and in culture (Figures 1 and 2); yeast-like forms have also been found in some cases.1 Hyalohyphomycoses are caused by several genera of fungi that are non-pigmented, being transparent or hyaline in tissues.1 Both are ubiquitous saprophytic agents. The number of reports of infections is increasing in humans and animals, often associated with immunosuppressive treatment or an immunosuppressive condition. In human medicine, they are currently considered emerging fungal infections.2,3 Infections are acquired from trau-matic implantation from the environment (soil and decomposed plants). Direct transmission between hosts does not occur.1 The taxonomy of the aetiological agents is complicated, and names have often been changed. More than 100 species classified within 60 genera have been described as agents of phaeohyphomycosis in animals and humans. Pathogens for dogs and cats include species fro