Beyond bacteria and viruses……

u Diverse group of heterotrophs.  Many are ecologically important saprophytes (consume dead and decaying matter)  Others are parasites. u Most are multicellular, but yeasts are unicellular. u Most are aerobes or facultative anaerobes. u Cell walls are made up of chitin (polysaccharide). u Over 100,000 fungal species identified. Only about 100 are human or animal pathogens.  Most human fungal infections are nosocomial (acquired in a hospital) and/or occur in immunocompromised individuals (opportunistic infections).

 Candidiasis  Dermatophyte infections  Aspergillosis

 Caused by yeasts belonging to genus Candida  Most common is C. albicans  Candida yeasts normally live on skin and mucous membranes

ILLNESS Candidiasis in the mouth or throat – thrush Candidiasis in the vagina – yeast infection Candida in the bloodstream – invasive Candidiasis

SYMPTOMS *redness or soreness in mouth or throat White patches or plaques on the tongue Difficulty swallowing Cracking at the corners of the mouth

WHO IS AT RISK? Uncommon in healthy adults Cancer patients, those with diabetes, corticosteroid users, those with diabetes and when broad-spectrum antibiotics are used TREATMENT Good oral hygiene practices Antifungal medication (clotrimazole, fluconazole)

 Fungi that cause skin, hair and nail infections – sometimes called “ringworm” or “tinea”  Live on moist skin, on household items like clothing, towels and bedding

DISEASES CAUSED athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm

SYMPTOMS itchy, redness, cracking of skin or ring-shaped rash, local hair loss, discolored/crumbly nails WHO IS AT RISK? Anyone can get dermatophyte infections but particularly immunosuppressed people, people involved in contact sports, close contact with animals

Severe nail infection with Trichophyton rubrum in a 37-year-old male AIDS patient. Source: Intern. J. Dermatol. 31(1992): 453.

PREVENTION Good hygiene, monitor pets, avoid sharing items with infected people TREATMENT Oral or topical antifungal medications

 Aspergillus – common fungus found indoors and outdoors  Most people are not affected but those with lung diseases and weak immune system can be  Illness – allergic reactions, lung infections, wheezing, chest pain, coughing (could spread to other organs)

WHO IS AT RISK? People with the following conditions: Asthma Cystic fibrosis Weak immune systems (those on chemotherapy, advanced HIV infection) Existing lung disease

Disease Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis Symptoms wheezing, chest pain, coughing (could spread to other organs)

CAUSES Building renovations or construction Contaminated medical devices The disease cannot be spread between people or between people and animals…. TREATMENT * Antifungal medication - voriconazole