Species/Subspecies: Geotrichum candidum
Categories: Animal pathogen; human pathogen; plant pathogen; of practical use
Etymology: Genus name: soil hair.
Species epithet: shining white.
Alternative Species Name(s):Galactomyces candidus, which is an earlier name of the teleomorph.
Significance:  [Unclassified]   
Geographic distribution: Occurs globally.
Taxonomy:
PhylumClassOrderFamilyGenus
AscomycotaSaccharomycetesSaccharomycetalesDipodascaceaeGeotrichum
 
Macromorphology (smell):
Geotrichum candidum 
The colonies are white and have a fuzzy appearance both on agar plates and when the fungus grows on cheese.
Micromorphology:
Geotrichum candidumGeotrichum candidum
Forms rectangular arthroconidia, the size of which is 5-12 x 2.5 µm. Some strains grow like yeast, while others may have a more moldy appearance.
Reproduction:
Spec. Char.:
Reservoir: Soil and decaying organic matter.
Disease/effect: The fungus is considered to belong to the normal flora in the mouth and intestines in animals and humans, but can sometimes cause infections.
Hosts/substrateDisease/effectClinical picture or result
DogsGeotrichosisMay in rare cases cause disseminated infection.
Fruits and vegetablesSour rotYellow-brown or purple coating on the affected substrate.
HumansGeotrichosisCan affect individuals with a weakened immune system and cause infection in the respiratory tract, mouth, skin and vagina.
Genome Sequence:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/Isolate# of chromSize (Mbp)Ref
GCA_013365045 LMA-244RG  23.6 # 85

Mitochondrial DNA sequence:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/IsolateNumber of BPRef
QQZJ01000194 LMA-40RG 29144 # 85

18S rRNA Seq:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/IsolateNumber of NT
AB000652 IFO 4599 1736 

ITS regions:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/IsolateNumber of NTGenes
MK461923 AVMF18 402 18S rRNA, ITS 1, 5.8S rRNA, ITS 2, 28S rRNA  

Taxonomy/phylogeny:
Practical use:G. candidum is used in the production of certain milk products such as cheeses (camembert, saint-nectaire reblochon etc.) and yogurt (viili). This fungus also has an antagonistic effect on certain pathogenic bacteria such as e.g. Listeria monocytogenes. It has been found that G. candidum can break down polycarbonates in e.g. CDs.
Reference(s): No. 84
Updated:2023-02-08

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Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences