infections
Overview of Fungal Infections
Introduction
Fungi are living organisms, but they are not plants or animals. All living things are divided into categories called kingdoms, and fungi have their own kingdom. Some fungi cause infections in people: Aspergillosis None Blastomycosis None Candidiasis None Coccidioidomycosis None Cryptococcosis None Histoplasmosis None Mucormycosis None Paracoccidioidomycosis None Sporotrichosis None Some fungi cause skin infections (see also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections .) Fungi can grow in two forms: Yeasts: Single round cells Molds: Many cells forming long, thin threads called hyphae Some fungi exist as both forms during their life cycle. These fungi are called dimorphic fungi. Fungi often grow in soil and decaying plant material. Many fungi, including bread molds and mushrooms, can be seen with the naked eye. Fungi are classified as their own kingdom of living organisms. They are neither plants nor animals. Fungi reproduce by spreading microscopic spores. These spores are often present in the air and soil, where they can be inhaled or come into contact with the surfaces of the body, primarily the skin. Consequently, fungal infections usually begin in the lungs or on the skin. Of the wide variety of spores that land on the skin or are inhaled into the lungs, most do not cause infection. A few types cause infection only in people who have one of the following: A weakened immune system Foreign material, including medical devices (such as an artificial joint or heart valve), in their body The immune system may be weakened when people take Some Drugs That Can Cause Immunodeficiency (immunosuppressants), such as chemotherapy or medications used to prevent rejection of an organ transplant, or when they have a Except for some superficial skin infections, fungal infections are rarely passed from one person to another. Fungal infections can affect only one area of the body (localized) or many areas of the body (systemic). affect only one area of the body. They typically affect the Overview of Fungal Skin Infections , Localized fungal infections sometimes occur when the mix of other microorganisms (eg, bacteria) that normally live in certain parts of the body (also called the microbiome) is out of balance. For example, certain types of fungi (such asCandida) are normally present on body surfaces or in the intestine. The bacteria normally present in the digestive tract and vagina limit the growth of these fungi in those areas. When people take antibiotics, the helpful bacteria can be killed, allowing the fungi to grow unchecked. The resulting overgrowth of fungi can cause symptoms, which are usually mild. As the bacteria grow back, the balance is restored, and the problem usually resolves. Systemic fungal infectionsaffect organs such as the lungs, eyes, liver, and brain and also can affect the skin. They typically occur in people who have a weakened immune system. Fungal infections are either Opportunistic fungal infections None Primary fungal infections None 