Fungal allergens
Richard F. Lockey, Dennis K. Ledford in Allergens and Allergen Immunotherapy, 2020
Fungi belong to the botanical kingdom that includes molds, yeasts, mildews, bracket fungi, rusts, smuts, and mushrooms. They constitute a very large and diverse group of organisms with a complex taxonomy. The hyphae are the basic structural unit for most fungi and typically are branched with tubular filaments possessing a defined cell wall composed of chitin, a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine and other complex carbohydrates. These hyphae may be divided into individual cells by cross-walls, called “septa” [1]. Some fungi exist exclusively as single-cell yeast forms, while others demonstrate extensive hyphae. Mushrooms belong to the phylum Basidiomycota, where clumping of mycelium results in the development of large macroscopic structures of diverse color and shape. The pleomorphism of fungi further complicates the classification and antigenicity and poses problems for accurate identification.
Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Treating Fungal Dermatophytic Infections
Anne George, K. S. Joshy, Mathew Sebastian, Oluwatobi Samuel Oluwafemi, Sabu Thomas in Holistic Approaches to Infectious Diseases, 2017
Living organisms are classified into five kingdoms namely Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia where the fungi are placed in a separate kingdom by R.H. Whittaker in 1969. Fungi are classified based on sexual/asexual reproduction and morphology. The fungi are grouped as zygomycetes (produce zygospore), ascomycetes (produce endogenous spores called ascospores in cells called asci), basidiomycetes (produce exogenous spores called basidiospores in cells called basidia) and deuteromycetes (a heterogeneous group of fungi where no sexual reproduction has yet been demonstrated and also called fungi imperfecti). Similarly on morphological basis, they are moulds (e.g., Aspergillus spp., Microsporum gypseum, etc.), yeasts (e.g., Cryptococcus neoformans, Saccharomyces cerviceae), yeast like (e.g., Candida albicans) and dimorphic (e.g., Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatidis, Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis, Coccidioides immitis).
Pattern of Fungal Infections in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM)
Cut Adeya Adella in Stem Cell Oncology, 2018
A previous study conducted at the H. Adam Malik General Hospital Medan by Lubis in 2010 found a positive culture result of fungi in 41 of 75 samples or 54.7%. The most common types of fungi are Aspergillus sp., which consists of Aspergillus niger with as many as 14 samples (43.9%), Aspergillus fumigatus with as many as five samples (8.7%) and Aspergillus flavus with as many as three samples. This is followed by Candida sp. with as many as 18 samples (43.9%), consisting of Candida albicans, as many as nine samples (21.9%), Candida tropicalis six samples (14.6%), Candida parapsilosis as many as two samples (4.8%), Candida krusei as many as one sample (1.3%) and Penicillium sp. as many as one sample (1.3%). From this it can be seen that the frequency of fungal infections in CSOM at H. Adam Malik General Hospital Medan has decreased from 54.7% in 2010 (Lubis, 2010) to 13.33% in this study (December 2014-September 2015). Specimen collection methods and inclusion criteria in both studies are relatively similar, but in our study we did not include the patients that have previously used ear drops. The use of irrational topical antibiotics and excessive use of ear drops encourage the growth of fungal infections in CSOM (Mittal et al., 1997).
Orbital apex syndrome caused by Alternaria species: A novel invasive fungus and new treatment paradigm
Published in Orbit, 2020
Alina Y. Lou, Todd J. Wannemuehler, Paul T. Russell, Behin Barahimi, Rachel K. Sobel
Alternaria is a known sinonasal pathogen affecting immunocompromised patients.5 The fungus, with airborne spores, is ubiquitous in the environment and is naturally found in soil and crops such as grains, seeds, and grasses.6Alternaria has caused invasive sinusitis in multiple cases of immunocompromised patients and has also been reported to cause oculomycosis in the form of fungal keratitis and postsurgical and endogenous endophthalmitis.5,7–10 There have also been several reported cases of noninvasive Alternaria infection presenting in patients with chronic allergic sinusitis.6,11 However, to date, there have been no reports of Alternaria infection causing an OAS. Here, we present a case of an immunocompromised diabetic patient with invasive Alternaria fungal sinusitis causing an OAS. Collection and evaluation of protected patient health information was HIPAA-compliant. All clinical and radiographic photographs are presented after receiving signed consent from the patient, which is archived in the medical record.
Endogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis Associated with Genitourinary Procedures
Published in Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 2019
Boya Lei, Rui Jiang, Ruiping Gu, Gezhi Xu, Fang Song, Min Zhou
Fungi are a large and diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that are widely dispersed in nature. A relatively small number of them can cause serious primary and opportunistic diseases. The eye is one of the organs susceptible to infection.19 Unlike exogenous fungal infections, fungi reach the eye haematogenously in EFE,2 so EFE usually occurs in disseminated fungal diseases.7 EFE is a rare entity that can occur at any age, from newborns to octogenarians, and often results in severe visual loss.4,20 A number of predisposing conditions have been associated with EFE, including recent major surgery, indwelling intravenous catheter, bacterial sepsis, systemic antibiotic use, debilitating disease, or a combination of these factors.8,13,21 Recent gastrointestinal surgery12 and intravenous drug abuse22,23 are the most frequent predisposing risk factors.
Novel avenues for identification of new antifungal drugs and current challenges
Published in Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, 2022
Fungi are simple eukaryotic organisms that are able to colonize various environments around the planet. It is estimated that there are approx. 2 million different species. They are ubiquitous in nature and are vital for the recycling of nutrients contained in organic matter (most species of fungi are saprophytes). They coexist with other organisms on the basis of mutualism, commensalism, and, unfortunately, parasitism [1,2]. Higher fungi have been used by people in the kitchen, brewing, viticulture, and folk medicine for thousands of years. Microscopic as well as higher fungi are used in biotechnology for the production or biotransformation of various substances and, in recent years, also popular for the green synthesis of nanoparticles. Biologically active secondary metabolites of higher fungi and microscopic fungi have become the inspiration for the design of drug structures [3–5].
Related Knowledge Centers
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