Dimorphic
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
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Dimorphic Systemic Mycoses
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.
*more common in endemic areas.
Histopathology is especially useful and is one of the most important ways of alerting the laboratory that they may be dealing with a potential pathogen.
Tissue morphology of dimorphic pathogens:
WARNING: Cultures of Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum represent a severe biohazard to laboratory personnel and must be handled with extreme caution in an appropriate pathogen handling cabinet.
In the past microscopic morphology, conversion from the mould form to the yeast or spherule form, and animal pathogenicity have all been used; however exoantigen tests are now the method of choice, at least for Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum.
Mycoses >
Dimorphic systemic
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