1. Assist Prof Dr. Syed Yousaf Kazmi
MAJOR FUNGI
Assist Prof Dr.
Syed Yousaf Kazmi

2. OBJECTIVES Classify Fungi Clinical significance of fungal infections
List common diseases caused by fungi
Importance of opportunistic fungal infections in human

3. INTRODUCTION TO FUNGI
80,000 species of fungi- less than 400 are medically important
Beneficial to humankind
Breaking down and recycling organic matter
Production of food and spirits, including cheese, bread, and beer
Antibiotics (eg, penicillin) and immunosuppressive drugs e.g. Cyclosporine

4. INTRODUCTION TO FUNGI Eukaryotic Organisms
Yeast Form (Unicellular), Mold Form (Multicellular)
Obligate or facultative aerobes
Natural habitats being water, soil, and organic debris
Human are gen resistant to fungal infections
Some form of immune deficiency in patients with fungal infections
Normal flora e.g. Candida albicans

5. Classification of the fungi
True yeast
Cryptococcus neoformans
Yeast like fungi
Candida albicans
Dimorphic fungi
Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatidis
Moulds
Aspergillus fumigatus

6. CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI
Category
Mycosis
Causative Fungal Agents
SUPERFICIAL
Pityriasis versicolor
Malassezia species
CUTANEOUS
Dermatophytosis
Microsporum species, Trichophyton species, and Epidermophyton floccosum
Candidiasis of skin, mucosa, or nails
Candida albicans and other Candida species
SUBCUTANEOUS
Sporotrichosis
Sporothrix schenckii
Mycetoma
Pseudallescheria boydii, Madurella mycetomatis, and others
ENDEMIC (PRIMARY, SYSTEMIC)
Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioides posadasii and Coccidioides immitis
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasma capsulatum
OPPORTUNISTIC
Systemic candidiasis
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii
Aspergillosis
Aspergillus fumigatus etc
Mucormycosis (zygomycosis)
Species of Rhizopus, Absidia, Cunninghamella,

7. FUNGAL DISEASES IN HUMANS
Allergic reaction
Result from inhaling fungal spores
React to fungal toxin
Many have hallucinogenic properties
Certain species produces toxins implicated in cancer. e.g. Aflatoxin
Mycoses
Fungi grows on or in the body
Can be superficial, intermediate, systemic
Economic impact
Destroy human food supply causing starvation

8. FUNGAL ALLERGIES & MYCOTOXICOSES
Fungal spores -common sources of
Atopic allergies
Asthma, Farmer’s lung,
Fungal toxins lead to mycotoxicoses
Ergot poisoning -ingestion of moldy grain
Fungal Aflatoxin related to human cancer

9. FUNGAL DISEASES-MYCOSIS
Mycoses are classified into
Superficial mycoses:
Infections of hair shafts and superficial epidermal cells. Prevalent in tropical climates
Cutaneous mycoses:
keratinized epidermis (skin, hair, nails)
Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton
Examples:
Ringworm (Tinea capitis and T. corporis)
Athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis)
Jock itch (Tinea cruris)

10. FUNGAL DISEASES-MYCOSIS
Subcutaneous mycoses:
Invade traumatized beneath skin
Destructive local lesions
Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis
Chromoblastomycosis
Mycetomal
-Systemic mycoses:
Fungal infections deep within the body
Usually caused by fungi that live in the soil and are inhaled.
Examples:
Histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum):
Coccidiomycosis (Coccidioides immites):

11. FUNGAL DISEASES Opportunistic mycoses:
Caused by organisms that are generally harmless unless individual has weakened defenses:
- AIDS and cancer patients
- Individuals treated with broad spectrum antibiotics
-Very old or very young individuals (newborns).
e.g. Inhalation of Aspergillus spores.
Yeast Infections by Candida albicans.

12. CUTANEOUS FUNGAL INFECTIONS:
Thrush
1.Candidiasis ,most common, the normal flora of the GIT. Oral cavity and esophagus are the two most common clinical manifestations of candidiasis in HIV-infected patients.
2. Dermatophytes
Grows best on warm and moist surfaces Other species in the genus Candida such as C. glabrata C. krusei C. trophicalis etc., less common
1+2 very localized infection of the skin or mucosal membranes, including the oral cavity (thrush)pharynx or esophagus,GIT,
urinary bladder, genitalia (vagina, penis)
. Skin infection and occasionally nail infection may also occur.
3.Pityriasis versicolor

13. Cutaneous Mycosis
Candida albicans infection of the nails.

14. MYCETOMA When Soil Microbes Are Accidentally Implanted Into The Skin
Progressive, Tumor-like Disease Of The Hand Or Foot Due To Chronic Fungal Infection; May Lead To Loss Of Body Part
Caused By Pseudallescheria or Madurella

15. Tinea Capitis
Gray Patch

16. Tinea corporis – body ringworm

17. Tinea Unguium – Nail Infection

18. Tinea Pedis – Athlete’s Foot Infection

19. Superficial mycoses
Tinea versicolor causes mild scaling, mottling of skin
White piedra is whitish or colored masses on the long hairs of the body
Black piedra causes dark, hard concretions on scalp hairs
White & black piedra
Transmission is often mediated by shared hair brushes or combs
Several members of a family are usually infected at the same time
Infected areas must often be shaved to remove the fungi

20. Cryptococcus neoformans
A widespread encapsulated yeast that inhabits soils around pigeon roosts
Common infection of AIDS, cancer or diabetes patients
Infection of lungs leads to cough, fever, & lung nodules
Dissemination to meninges & brain can cause severe neurological disturbance & death

21. Pneumocystis jerovecii
A small, unicellular fungus that causes pneumonia (PCP), the most prominent opportunistic infection in AIDS patients
This pneumonia forms secretions in the lungs that block breathing & can be rapidly fatal if not controlled with medication

22. MUCORMYCOSIS Genera most often involved are Rhizopus, Absidia, & Mucor
Destructive invade the membranes of the nose, eyes, heart, & brain
Strong association with diabetes mellitus

23. LIST OF IMPORTANT FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Candidiasis
Cryptococcosis
Pneumocystis jerovecii
Aspergillosis
Tinea +
Maduromycosis Blastomycosis
Histoplasmosis
Coccidioidomycosis
Paracoccidioidomycosis
Mucormycosis