Changes

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Fungal species can be called saprophytic, parasitic or mutualistic. Mutualistic fungi have obligatory associations with microorganisms without which the fungi cannot complete it's own life cycle. Mutualistic fungi are non-pathogenic.

 

Fungal species can be called saprophytic, parasitic or mutualistic. Mutualistic fungi have obligatory associations with microorganisms without which the fungi cannot complete it's own life cycle. Mutualistic fungi are non-pathogenic. For more detailed information on types of fungi, please see [[Types of Fungi]].

<br>

<br>

===Fungal Structure===

===Fungal Structure===

Hyphal cell walls formed by moulds provide the cell with a rigid structure that provides a high degree of protection against osmotic pressure. These hyphal cell walls are mainly composed of chitin and other polysaccharides. The cell wall of yeasts contains protein complexes with polysaccharides and in some species also lipids. In both species the cell wall is lined by a bilayered cell membrane. Yeasts and mould both have defined nuclei, nuclear membranes, mitochondria and networks of microtubules.

 

Hyphal cell walls formed by moulds provide the cell with a rigid structure that provides a high degree of protection against osmotic pressure. These hyphal cell walls are mainly composed of chitin and other polysaccharides. The cell wall of yeasts contains protein complexes with polysaccharides and in some species also lipids. In both species the cell wall is lined by a bilayered cell membrane. Yeasts and mould both have defined nuclei, nuclear membranes, mitochondria and networks of microtubules. For more information on fungal structure, please see [[Fungal Structure]].

<br>

<br>

===Growth and Reproduction===

===Growth and Reproduction===

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Yeasts mainly reproduce via asexual division by budding in which daughter cells separate from parent cells via the formation of a cross-wall budding point.

 

Yeasts mainly reproduce via asexual division by budding in which daughter cells separate from parent cells via the formation of a cross-wall budding point. For more detailed information on fungi reproduction please see [[Fungal Reproduction]].

<br />

<br />

===Fungal Disease===

===Fungal Disease===

'''Mycoses'''

'''Mycoses'''

<br />

<br />

If the mycosis is restricted to superficial tissues, this can be classified as either dermatomycoses or dermatophytoses. Dermatomycoses are usually opportunistic infections of the skin or muco-cutaneous junctions. Often this is caused by ''Candida'' species or ''Malassezia pachydermatis''. Dermatophytoses are clinically more important than dermatomycoses as they are zoonotic and are often associated with the invasion and destruction of keratinised structures such as ''Microsporum'' species and ''Trichophyton'' species. <br />

If the mycosis is restricted to superficial tissues, this can be classified as either dermatomycoses or dermatophytoses. Dermatomycoses are usually opportunistic infections of the skin or muco-cutaneous junctions. Often this is caused by ''Candida'' species or ''Malassezia pachydermatis''. Dermatophytoses are clinically more important than dermatomycoses as they are zoonotic and are often associated with the invasion and destruction of keratinised structures such as ''Microsporum'' species and ''Trichophyton'' species. See link for more detailed information on [[dermatophytosis]].<br />

<br />

<br />

Subcutaneous often result following penetration of a foreign body through the superficial layers of the dermis. Systemic mycoses often originate in the respiratory or digestive tracts from opportunistic infections. Factors such as antimicrobial therapy, viral infection or other immuno-suppressors increase the predisposing rick factors to fungal infection.

Subcutaneous infections often result following penetration of a foreign body through the superficial layers of the dermis. Systemic mycoses often originate in the respiratory or digestive tracts from opportunistic infections. Factors such as antimicrobial therapy, viral infection or other immuno-suppressors increase the predisposing rick factors to fungal infection.

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

===Diagnosis of Fungal Infection===

===Diagnosis of Fungal Infection===

The main method used to determine the species of mycological infection is by culture. Any culturing procedures should be carried out in a biohazard cabinet due to the zoonotic effect of spores aerosols.

The main method used to determine the species of mycological infection is by culture. Any culturing procedures should be carried out in a biohazard cabinet due to the zoonotic effect of spores aerosols. Clinical signs and history may be sufficient to make a presumptive diagnosis, particularly when considering dermatophytoses. Any specimens taken for laboratory analysis can include hair and skin scrapings, biopsy or post-mortem (if the disease is a systemic mycosis).