Fungi

“a group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms,

lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous”

Fungal Infections

• 10 years

• nosocomial

• organic compounds and carbon: energy

• aerobic or facultatively anaerobic

Categories of Fungi

• 1) yeasts

• 2) molds

• 3) dimorphic fungi

Yeasts

• spherical or oval

• “budding”

• 1 yeast cell can produce up to 24 daughter cells by “budding”

• short chain of cells

Molds

• thallus (body)

• hyphae

• septa

• septate hyphae

Dimorphic Fungi

• 2 forms of growth in pathogenic species– 1) mold– 2) yeast

• Mold: hyphae (multicellular)

• Yeast: buds (unicellular)

Dermatomycosis

• dermatophytes• epidermis, hair, and nails• enzyme: keratinase• direct contact, infected hairs and epidermal

cells• 3 genera

Coccidiodomycosis

• Readings question #1: What is coccidiocomycoses? What microorganism causes this disease and where is it found? How is it transmitted?

• San Joaquin Fever

Diagnosis

• Spherules (spores) in tissues or fluids

• Tissues, lesions

• Laboratory workers: infectious aerosols

• Increasing in California and Arizona

Histoplasmosis

• Readings question #2: What is the causative microorganism? Where is this microorganism found? How is the disease acquired?

Candidiasis

• Bacterial microbiota (genitourinary tract)• Antibacterial drugs• Normal mucosal pH• Readings question #3: What microorganisms

cause candidiasis? How may this infection appear in infants? What is it called?

Cryptococcosis

• Spherical cells, budding

• Polysaccharide capsules

• Soil, pigeon roosts and nests

• Inhalation of dried droppings

Brain Tissue with Cavities

Aspergillosis

• Readings question #4: What is the causative fungus? Where is it found? How is it spread? What are the symptoms for the disease?

Pneumocystis Pneumonia(PCP)

• Healthy human lungs• High infection rate in general population• Lining of the alveoli• Diagnosis: sputum samples

Readings Question #5

• How is the disease PCP spread? What are its symptoms? Is it potentially fatal? (If yes, how does death occur?)