MYCOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
Mycology (2) Forms of Fungi
• Study of fungi Yeast Mold
Filamentous (w/ hyphae) Nonfilamentous
Fungi (do not have hyphae)
• Mostly obligatory anaerobes Unicellular Multicellular
• Eukaryote, chitin, ergosterol Live at room Temp (25oC) Live at body Temp (37oC)
• Spore reproduction [outside the body]
• Dimorphic (molds @ room temp, yeast @ body temp)
***Dimorphic Fungi: both yeast and mold; responsible Laboratory Test
for systemic infections
1) 10% KOH: digest hyphae + micelle
2) Saboraud’s Dextrose Agar

SUPERFICIAL MYCOSES
MYCOSES CAUSATIVE AGENT CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
1) White Piedra Trichosporon asahii (formerly T. beigelii) Beige nodules found on the hair shaft
2) Black Piedra aka Tinea Nodasa Piedraia hortae Black nodules found on the hair shaft
3) Pityriasis aka Tinea Versicolor Malassezia furfur Hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation
• Tx: Miconazole (topical) serpentine lesions on the skin
• Dx: 10% KOH (spaghetti, meatballs)
4) Tinea Nigra Hortaea werneckii (formerly Exophiala Dark brown to black discoloration on the
werneckii) palms of the hand and soles

CUTANEOUS MYCOSES
CLINICAL
MYCOSES CAUSATIVE AGENT TREATMENT
MANIFESTATION
Tineal ringworm Dermatophytoses • Superficial ü Topical
Tinea Location • Epidermophyton floccosum keratinized azoles
Tinea pedis Feet (skin, nails) structures
(Athlete’s foot) • Microsporum (skin, hair) • MOT: Direct
Tinea cruris Groin area • Trichophyton contact
(Jock itch) (skin, nails, hair)
Tinea unguium Nails
(Onychomycosis)
Tinea manuum Hands
Tinea corporis Trunk
Tinea barbae Beard area/chin
Tinea capitis Scalp/head

SUBCUTANEOUS MYCOSES
MYCOSES DESCRIPTION CAUSATIVE AGENT CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
1) Mycetoma (Madura foot) • Associated with bare-foot • Pseudallescheria boydii • Suppuration/abscess
individuals • Madurella mycetomatis • Granuloma
• Madurella grisea • Formation of draining sinuses
• Exophiala jeanselmei along the lymphatics (fistula
• Acremonium falciforme formation)

2) Sporotrichosis/Gardener’s • Occupational disease of • Sporothrix schenkii

disease gardeners/florist
Tx: • Habitat: rose thorns, tree
• Potassium iodide bark, soil
• Itraconazole (MOT: thorn pick)

“When you go thru deep waters, I wil be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2
MICROBIOLOGY LECTURE NOTES
 MYCOLOGY
SYSTEMIC/ENDEMIC MYCOSES
• Associated with dimorphic fungi
• MOT: respiratory route
• Tx: mild-moderate (Itraconazole)
moderate-severe (Amphotericin B)
MYCOSES DESCRIPTION CAUSATIVE AGENT CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
1) Coccidioidomycosis • Aka Desert Rheumatism/Valley • Coccidioides immitis • Pneumonia-like, flu-like
Fever (1st outbreak: San Joaquin o Dimorphic
Valley, California)

2) Histoplasmosis • Aka Spelunker’s Disease • Histoplasma capsulatum • Mimics the SSx of TB

• MOT: BAT droppings (deep cave (nonencapsulated)
exploration) [zoonosis] o Dimorphic

3) North American • Blastomyces dermatitidis • MCC of fungal pneumonia

Blastomycosis o Dimorphic

4) South American • Paracoccidioides brasiliensis • Painful oral ulcers

Blastomycosis o Dimorphic • Chronic pneumonia
o Mariner’s wheel
appearance

OPPORTUNISTIC MYCOSES
MYCOSES CAUSATIVE AGENT CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
1) Candidiasis • Candida albicans Cutaneous/mucous
• Oral thrush (healthy Pt)

Systemic (Fungicemia)
• Catheters and prosthetic devices
• Immunocompromised: pseudomembranous
esophagitis (AIDS defining illness)

Chronic mucocutaneous
• Common in persons with endorinopathies (e.g.
DM)

2) Cryptococcosis • Cryptococcus neoformans (capsulated) • Cryptococcal meningitis/encephalitis

o Only encapsulated fungi
o MOT: pigeon droppings
o ID test: India ink

3) Aspergillosis • Aspergillus fumigatus Respiratory:

o Mold only • Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
o Airborne (MOT: Inhalational) • Pulmonary aspergilloma (fungal ball)
Systemic: Invasive aspergillosis
4) Pneumocystis iiroveci • Formerly Pneumocystis carnii • PCP (AIDS defining illness)
Pneumonia • Protozoan

“When you go thru deep waters, I wil be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2
MICROBIOLOGY LECTURE NOTES