Exercise 14A Fungi

Proper name of this organism:

Candida albicans

Candida albicans - General type of microorganism:

Eukaryotic fungus (Yeast)

Candida albicans - Primary taxonomic group:

Ascomycota

Candida albicans - Characteristic traits

Commensal habitat, dimorphic shape (switches between oval budding yeast cells, elongated pseudo hyphae depending on temperature and pH.) It rapidly forms germ tubes when incubated in serum at 37°C

Candida albicans - Diseases caused:

Candidiasis, including oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections, and systemic infections.

Candida albicans at 28C - Photo:

Candida albicans at 37C - Photo:

Proper name of this organism:

Malassezia furfur

General type of microorganism - Malassezia furfur

Eukaryotic fungus (lipophilic yeast)

Primary taxonomic group - Malassezia furfur

Basidiomycota

Characteristic traits - Malassezia furfur

A lipophilic yeast that thrives on oily skin. Dimorphic in nature and can exist as either yeast or filamentous form.

Diseases caused - Malassezia furfur

Can cause skin conditions like tinea versicolor and dandruff.

Photo - Malassezia furfur

Proper name of this organism:

Microsporum gypseum

General type of microorganism - Microsporum gypseum

Eukaryotic fungus (geophilic dermatophyte)

Characteristic traits - Microsporum gypseum

Soil-dwelling mold that feeds on keratin. It produces many large, rough, boat-shaped spores divided into 4 to 6 sections.

Photo - Microsporum gypseum

Proper name of organism

Penicillium roqueforti

General type of microorganism - Penicillium roqueforti

Eukaryotic fungus (saprotrophic mold)

Primary taxonomic group - Penicillium roqueforti

Ascomycota

Characteristic traits - Penicillium roqueforti

This species is known for its greenish-blue color, the production of penicillin, and its role in cheese production.

Diseases caused - Penicillium roqueforti

This species can produce mycotoxins that may affect human health, potentially causing allergic reactions or respiratory issues.

Photo - Penicillium roqueforti