The Cunninghamella sp. is filamentous fungi isolated from soil and plant matter. However, it was also discovered to exist in cheese, animal material and Brazil nuts. It is most present in the Mediterranean and subtropical zones. The fast growing colonies of Cunninghamella sp. have a cottony texture and white to gray color on the surface. At present, the genus Cunninghamella has seven species. The most common ones are Cunninghamella echinulata, Cunninghamella elegans and Cunninghamella bertholletiae, which is the only identified animal and human pathogen.

Cunninghamella sp. is a contaminant and a causative agent for infections that threaten the health of immunocompromised individuals. It has been determined as a cause for zygomycosis. Often, the infection begins after the inhalation of the spores; however, it can also start from inoculation of the fungus on the skin. Identified risk factors for the development of zygomycosis include immunosuppression, trauma, diabetes mellitus and desferoxamine therapy.