[6] Conidiobolus coronatus produces rapidly growing colonies that appear fuzzy and are flat.
[6] Conidiobolus coronatus reproduces asexually and produces thin-walled hyphae which occur singly or in clusters,[8] with very few septa.
[8] If the medium the sporangia and spores land on is nutrient-dense, they will germinate and form one or more hyphal tubes, and the fungus will then continue its development and growth.
[6] Growth of the fungus in vivo shows a histologic pattern similar to that seen in other Zygomycota infections.
[3] In addition to organic nutrient and mineral presence, temperature and pH, osmotic pressure also has an effect on C. coronatus growth and dispersal.
[3] Conidiobolus coronatus produces forcibly discharged sporangia, which show phototropic orientation.
[3] This orientation towards the most intense light source can also be seen as a survival mechanism for the fungus as it increases the possibility that the sporangia will be dispersed in the least obstructed direction and to the greatest distance.
[7] The growing zone of C. coronatus shows a light-mediated reorganization, with a weakness and thinning of the cell wall being seen in the area of future growth.
[3] Though the fungus shows phototropic orientation, albeit imprecise, the formation and discharge of secondary spores is shown to occur in darkness as well, however it seems to always requires high moisture levels.
[5] It has been demonstrated that C. coronatus produces lipolytic, chitinolytic and proteolytic enzymes,[7] especially extracellular proteinases, namely serine proteases which are optimally active at pH 10 and 40 °C.
[10] The serine proteases secreted by this fungus show great activity and thermostability, making them suitable for commercialization in the leather and detergent industries,[10][11] as well for the recovery of silver from discarded photographic films.
[12] Conidiobolus coronatus is an inhabitant of soil around the world,[9] possessing a tropical and universal distribution.
[8][13] Rhinofacial zygomycosis caused by C. coronatus has been reported in humans, horses, dolphins, chimpanzees and other animals.
coronatus is also pathogenic to mosquitoes Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes taeniorhyncus, to the Guadaloupean parasol ant Acromyrmex octospinosus, to root maggots Phorbia brassicae, as well as to aphids and termites.
[13] The infection starts in the nose and invades the subcutaneous tissue but rarely disseminates because the agent is not angio-invasive.
[8] Currently, there are no prevention strategies or specific risks identified for C. coronatus infection, and antifungal prophylaxis is not warranted.
[9] Recently demonstrated in HIV infected patient with first line ART resistance with delayed antifungal response.