1. What are mycoses?

Mycoses are classified as superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, or systemic

infections depending on the type and degree of tissue involvement and the host
response to the pathogen. Mycoses are among the most difficult human diseases to
diagnose and treat Signs of mycoses are often missed or misinterpreted Fungi are often
resistant to antifungal agents.

Fungal infections or mycoses cause a wide range of diseases in humans.

Mycoses range in extent from superficial infections involving the outer layer of the
stratum corneum of the skin to disseminated infection involving the brain, heart, lungs,
liver, spleen, and kidneys. The range of patients at risk for invasive fungal infections
continues to expand beyond the normal host to encompass patients with the acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome; those immunosuppressed due to therapy for cancer and
organ transplantation, and those undergoing major surgical procedures. Each of these
patient populations has a high risk of developing invasive fungal infections. As the
population at risk continues to expand so also does the spectrum of opportunistic fungal
pathogens infecting these patients also continue to increase. Many of the deeply
invasive mycoses are difficult to diagnose early and often difficult to treat effectively.

2. Discuss 5 human fungal disease including the ff:

a. Causative agent of disease
b. Level and mode of entry in the human body

FUNGAL DISEASE CAUSATIVE AGENT LEVEL AND MODE OF

ENTRY IN THE HUMAN
BODY
Blastomycosis Blastomyces Systemic
Sporotrichosis Sporothrix Cutaneous
Coccidioidomycosis Coccidioides Systemic
Aspergillosis Aspergillus Opportunistic
Candidiasis Candida Opportunistic

Candidiasis (due to C albicans and other Candida spp.) is the most common
opportunistic fungal infection. Candida albicans is the most common cause of candidiasis.
Candidiasis may be classified as superficial or deep. Superficial candidiasis may involve the
epidermal and mucosal surfaces, including those of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus,
intestines, urinary bladder, and vagina. Blastomycosis is an infection caused by the fungal
organism Blastomyces dermatidis. The disease usually results in respiratory infection; however,
the organism can cause disease in many body tissues including the eyes, skin, reproductive
tract, and bones. Blastomycosis is a serious disease that can be fatal. Sporothrix schenckii is a
fungus that can be found worldwide in decaying vegetative matter. It is the causative agent of
sporotrichosis, a chronic infection of humans and animals. The infection is characterized by
nodular lesions of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues with lymphatic involvement.
Systemic spread may occur with bone, muscle, central nervous system, and pulmonary
involvement. Diagnosis may be made based on clinical presentation and on laboratory
identification of the etiologic agent. Aspergillosis is developing especially in humans with a
weakened immune system or with certain lung diseases. Aspergillus fumigatus is frequently the
causative agent for lung infections whereas Aspergillus niger is associated with lung or ear
infections. Valley Fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus
Coccidioides that grows in soil in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and
moderate winter temperatures. Two species of Coccidioides fungus have been found,
Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. The spectrum of disease caused by the two
species of Coccidioides fungus are indistinguishable, and laboratories are not routinely able to
determine species.

References:

Thomas J. Walsh and Dennis M. Dixon (1996) Chapter 75: Spectrum of Mycoses. Medical
Microbiology. 4th edition. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7902/

Beverley Ann Alderton,Jonathan W. Ball,Alberto Rodriguez Barbon,Margaret

Batchelder,Hugues Beaufrère,Michelle Bingley,Michael C. Blanco,Teresa Bradley
Bays,Cynthia J. Brown,Anne Burgdorf-Moisuk,Michael V. Campagna,Michelle L.
Campbell-Ward et al. (2013) Clinical Veterinary Advisor; Mycosis pp 204-206 Retrieved
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