The Fungi of Medical Importance

A compilation of flashcards focusing on vocabulary related to fungi and their medical importance, including definitions of key terms.

Fungi

Microorganisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, including molds and yeasts, often involved in infections.

True fungal pathogen

A pathogen that can invade and grow in a healthy, noncompromised host.

Thermal dimorphism

The ability of some fungi to grow as molds at lower temperatures and as yeasts at body temperature.

Opportunistic fungal pathogen

A fungus that has little or no virulence and can cause infections when host defenses are impaired.

Dermatophytes

Fungi that cause infections of the skin, hair, and nails.

Candidiasis

An infection caused by Candida species, which can lead to superficial or systemic diseases.

Histoplasmosis

A disease caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, typically involving lung infection that can progress systemically.

Coccidioidomycosis

Caused by Coccidioides immitis, this disease can lead to lung infection and has distinct arthroconidia morphology.

Blastomyces dermatitidis

A fungus that causes blastomycosis, primarily affecting the lungs after inhalation.

Paracoccidioidomycosis

A systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, primarily found in Central and South America.

Cryptococcus neoformans

An encapsulated yeast that causes cryptococcosis and is often associated with AIDS or immunocompromised patients.

Mycetoma

A progressive, tumor-like disease caused by soil microbes that may lead to loss of body parts.

Superficial Mycoses

Infections that affect only the outermost layers of the skin or hair.

Zygomycosis

An infection caused by Zygomycota fungi, often affecting people with diabetes or malnutrition.