[1][2] The fungus is most known for its causal association with the lung disease, adiaspiromycosis[3] which occurs most commonly in small mammals but is also seen in humans.
[2] Since then, the disease has been reported from Honduras, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Russia, the United States of America and Guatemala.
Whereas E. crescens is found worldwide, E. parva is restricted to areas in North and South America, Eastern Europe, Australia and regions in Asia.
[2] The conidiophores they produce are unicellular, thick-walled (2 μm),[6] and usually simple with a single terminal conidium also called an aleurioconidium.
[6] Before differentiating into adiaspores, the conidia measure 2–4 μm[4] in diameter and are shaped either ovoid, subglobose or pyriform with glabrous walls.
It is termed an infection, but better described as a bodily reaction to foreign material,[3] invoking various cellular processes within the circulatory and immune systems.
The body mounts a multicellular immune response to the presence of these adiaspores leading to the formation of noncaseating granulomas.
[8] Low level exposure induces little to no clinical symptoms, while a greater dosage risks development of pulmonary disease.
There are 3 forms of manifestation: The onset of symptoms is dependent on 2 factors: the dosage of conidia[10] and the immune status of the host.
If however the level of spores inhaled is sufficient or the immune system of the host is adequately compromised clinical symptoms may develop which include coughing, dyspnea, low-grade fever, weight loss and conjunctivitis including blurred vision, photophobia and ocular pain.
However purulent conjunctival discharge and hemorrhaging were not observed as opposed to conjunctivitis brought on by viral or bacterial infection.
Three criteria must be met for accurate diagnosis: The adiaspores must be identified as E. parva in culture media or sequencing to separate the infection from E. crescens.
[8] Exposure to soil and dust is a major route of infection so manual labor in regions with high levels of each can lead to an increased risk of inhalation.
[8] Cleaning, working or playing in areas inhabited by small mammals such as mice or bats may increase risk of infection.