FUNGAL INFECTIONS

 Medical mycology is the discipline that deals with the fungi that cause human disease.
 These fungal diseases, known as mycoses

DERMATOPHYTES
 Group of fungi that infect only superficial keratinized tissue (skin, hair & nails)
 They breakdown and utilize keratin
 They are incapable of penetrating subcutaneous tissue.
 They cause dermatophytoses also known as tinea or ringworm
 Dermatophytes are classified into three genera as follows
CANDIDIASIS
 Candidiasis is the mycosis caused by Candida albicans
 In healthy individuals they do not produce disease because growth is suppressed by other
microbiota and other host resistance mechanisms. However, if anything upsets the normal
microbiota and immune competency, Candida may multiply rapidly and produce
Candidiasis
 Because Candida can be transmitted sexually, it is also listed by the CDC as a sexually
transmitted disease
Napkin (diaper) candidiasis
 It is typically found in infants whose diapers are not changed frequently and therefore are
not kept dry.
Candidal vaginitis
 It can result as a complication of diabetes, antibiotic therapy, oral contraceptives,
pregnancy, or any other factor that compromises the female host .
 Candida can be transmitted to males during intercourse and lead to balanitis; thus it also
can be considered a sexually transmitted disease
Mortality is almost 50% when Candida invade the blood or disseminate to visceral organs, as
occasionally seen in immunocompromised patients