Chromomycosis in the toad (Bufo marinus) and a comparison of the etiologic agent with fungi causing human chromomycosis.

Of 75 toads (Bufo marinus) 2 were found infected by black molds. The internal organs of these animals had granulomatous lesions containing brown fungi identical to those found in human chromomycosis. Cultures gave rise to slow-growing black molds but all attempts to induce sporulation failed. The fungi did not grow at 36 degrees C or above and failed to hydrolyse gelatin or casein. Immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis revealed that both isolates were identical and shared common antigens with the recognized human pathogens P. pedrosoi, P. verrucosa and C. carrioni. The findings are compared with other reports of black mold infections in amphibians.