Medical Mycology

Mycology Study of fungi Study of fungi Fungi found every where Fungi found every where

Fungi (fungus) Fungi first appeared approximately 1.5 billion years ago Fungi first appeared approximately 1.5 billion years ago 75, 000 known fungal species 75, 000 known fungal species Estimated number 1.5 million fungal species Estimated number 1.5 million fungal species

Fungi and disease The vast majority of fungi are not associated with disease, and many are saprophytic The vast majority of fungi are not associated with disease, and many are saprophytic Around 400 species are associated with human and animal infections Around 400 species are associated with human and animal infections Plant fungal pathogens both destroy crops and generate mycotoxins Plant fungal pathogens both destroy crops and generate mycotoxins

Fungal infections are becoming more important!! Human fungal diseases became a serious problem only during the 20th and 21st centuries Human fungal diseases became a serious problem only during the 20th and 21st centuries Increased efficiency in treating bacterial infections Increased efficiency in treating bacterial infections Growth in the number immunodeficient patients Growth in the number immunodeficient patients Increasing use of indwelling medical devices Increasing use of indwelling medical devices

Most important The most common human fungal pathogens are: The most common human fungal pathogens are: Candida albicans Candida albicans Cryptococcus neoformans Cryptococcus neoformans Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus fumigatus

Where are fungi? The 5 Kingdoms or Phyla system The 5 Kingdoms or Phyla system Bacteria (heterophilic) Bacteria (heterophilic) Protista (unicellular) Protista (unicellular) Animalia Animalia Fungi (heterophilic) Fungi (heterophilic) Plantae (photosynthesis) Plantae (photosynthesis)

Main characteristics of fungi DNA in nucleus, chromosomes DNA in nucleus, chromosomes Mitosis and meiosis Mitosis and meiosis Mitochondria Mitochondria Chitin and glucan in cell wall Chitin and glucan in cell wall In sensitive to antibiotics In sensitive to antibiotics

What are fungi? Fungi can exist as single cells (yeast) Fungi can exist as single cells (yeast) Or chains of cells (hyphae) Or chains of cells (hyphae)

What are fungi? The body of the fungus is either filamentous or budding yeast The body of the fungus is either filamentous or budding yeast Mycelium is made up of a complex of hyphae Mycelium is made up of a complex of hyphae

Morphology Filamentous Filamentous Yeast Yeast Dimorphic Dimorphic

Role of fungal mycelium in growth and nutrition Vegetative mycelium Vegetative mycelium Aerial mycelium Aerial mycelium

Physiology Temperature Temperature Nutrition Nutrition Respiration Respiration Reproduction Reproduction

Where do fungi live?

Helpful fungi: In every day life Nitrogen and Carbon Nitrogen and Carbon Mushrooms and Quorn Mushrooms and Quorn Saccharomyces cerevisiae Saccharomyces cerevisiae Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger Flavours and vitamins Flavours and vitamins Penicillin and cyclosporine Penicillin and cyclosporine Molecular cloning and cancer research Molecular cloning and cancer research

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Useful fungi : Bakers yeast

Honey mushroom fungus Useful fungi : Mushrooms and Quorn