Fungi Reproduction and Pathogens

• Fungi can reproduce asexually via spores.
• Sporangiospores are spores contained within a sac called a sporangium.
• Conidia (conidiospores) are spores not enclosed by a sac.
• There are several types of conidia.

Types of Conidia

• Arthrospores are rectangular spores.
• Chlamydospores are spherical spores.
• Blastospores bud from a parent cell.
• Phialospores bud from the mouth of a vase-shaped cell.
• Microconidia are one-celled spores formed by a fungus.
• Macroconidia are two or more celled spores formed by a fungus, under different conditions than microconidia.
• Porospores grow out through small pores.

Pathogenic Fungi

• Superficial mycoses (cutaneous mycoses) affect the surface of the body.
• Dermatomycoses, also known as Tinea or ringworm, are a type of superficial mycoses.
• Trichophyton can infect hair, skin, and nails.
• Epidermophyton can infect skin and nails.
• Microsporum can infect hair and skin.
• Tinea capitis affects the scalp.
• Tinea corporis affects the body.
• Tinea cruris is also known as jock itch.
• Tinea unguium affects the nails.
• Tinea pedis is also known as athlete’s foot.
• Tinea versicolor causes discolored patches on the skin.
• Sporotrichosis is caused by Sporothrix schenckii.
• Candidiasis is caused by Candida albicans.
• Candidiasis may result from suppression of immunity.
• Candidiasis can cause genitourinary tract infections (e.g., vaginal yeast infections), diaper rash in infants, and oral thrush (mouth infection).