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Mycoses

Fungal Descriptions

	Dermatophytes

	Yeasts

	Dimorphic Pathogens

		Blastomyces

		Coccidioides

		Histoplasma

		Paracoccidioides

	Hyphomycetes (hyaline)

	Hyphomycetes (dematiaceous)

	Coelomycetes

	Zygomycetes

	Oomycota

	Basidiomycetes

Laboratory Methods

School of Molecular & Biomedical Science
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
AUSTRALIA 5005

Contact:
Dr David Ellis

Email

Telephone:
+61 8 8161 6459
Facsimile:
+61 8 8161 7589

Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens

These are fungal infections of the body caused by fungal pathogens which can overcome the physiological and cellular defences of the normal human host by changing their morphological form. They are geographically restricted and the primary site of infection is usually pulmonary, following the inhalation of conidia.

Descriptions for the following fungi are provided.

Blastomyces dermatitidis

Coccidioides immitis/posadasii

Histoplasma capsulatum

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

In the past microscopic morphology, conversion from the mould form to the yeast or spherule form, and animal pathogenicity have all been used for identification; however exoantigen tests are now the method of choice, at least for Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum.

WARNING: RG-3 organisms. Cultures of these fungi represent a severe biohazard to laboratory personnel and must be handled with extreme caution in an appropriate pathogen handling cabinet.