Superficial mycoses are fungal infections which are only limited to the keratinized outer layer of the skin, hair and nails. Superficial mycoses unlike other forms of mycoses rarely result in inflammatory reactions in the host but it is usually characterized by intense itching and peeling or scaling of the affected body sites. They are self-limiting […]
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Mycology
Mycoses are infections caused by pathogenic fungi. And they include superficial mycoses, cutaneous mycoses, subcutaneous mycoses, systemic or deep-seated mycosis and opportunistic mycoses depending on the affected tissue or parts of the body. However, other forms of fungal infections which are not directly caused by pathogenic fungi but their toxic products and the untoward reactions
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Mycology
The spores (conidia) are produced in dry chains from the tips of the phialides, with the youngest spore at the base of the chain (Figure 1). Penicillium is found in the soil, decaying vegetation, air and they are common contaminants on various substances. Penicillium causes food spoilage, and it colonizes leather objects. It is an
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Mycology
Biology of Candida glabrata Candida glabrata is a fungus species of haploid yeast of the genus Candida, previously known as Torulopsis glabrata. Despite the fact that no sexual life cycle has been documented for this species, C. glabrata strains of both mating types are commonly found. Vaginal yeast infection, caused mainly by Candida albicans (and
Fungal reproduction is unique and distinct from those of other microbial cells such as bacteria. Generally, fungi exhibit two modes of reproduction which are sexual and asexual reproduction. In this section, the terms conidia and spores are synonymously used but with caution since conidia are generally used to describe asexual spores of fungi. Asexual reproduction
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Mycology
Slime moulds are eukaryotic organisms that have fungus-like features as well as some animal- or protists-like features. Slime moulds were previously classified as fungi because of some characteristics which both organisms share. Slime moulds like fungi produce spores and fruiting bodies; and these features warranted there earlier classification as fungi but this is no longer
Fungal classification or taxonomy is usually based on the sexual spores produced by the organisms. This is because the asexual forms of most fungi especially those that are of medical importance are not well known; and those groups of fungi that are of medical importance are sexual spore producers. The kingdom fungi comprise of four
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Mycology
Fungi unlike other groups of microorganisms possess or have unique structures which distinguish them from other microbial cells. Morphologically, fungi exist in any of the following structural forms: MYCELIUM (PLURAL: MYCELIA) Mycelium is the long branching structures of fungal hyphae (Figure 1). Mycelia are specialized structures used by fungal cells to absorb nutrients from their
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Mycology
References Anaissie E.J, McGinnis M.R, Pfaller M.A (2009). Clinical Mycology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. London. Beck R.W (2000). A chronology of microbiology in historical context. Washington, D.C.: ASM Press. Black, J.G. (2008). Microbiology: Principles and Explorations (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley & Sons. Brooks G.F., Butel J.S and Morse S.A (2004).
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Biotechnology, Food Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Mycology
The study of pathogenic fungi (i.e. fungal organisms that are of medical importance) is known as medical mycology. Pathogenic fungi are fungal organisms that cause disease in humans. Human mycoses may include infections of the outer skin layer, infections of the underlying tissues of the skin, systemic infections, and deep-seated infections or invasive mycoses. Other
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Medical Microbiology, Mycology