Types of Human Fungus

Some fungi are a part of the normal human flora, while others are opportunistic agents of disease. Humans are susceptible to superficial infections as well as deep and difficult to treat fungal diseases (mycoses). Healthy people rarely contract serious mycoses unless there is a serious injury.

Normal Flora

• The yeast Candida albicans is a normal part of the human vaginal tract. Normally it does not cause a problem, but under some conditions it causes vaginal or urinary tract infections.

Dermatophytes

• Fungi that infect skin, hair and nails are called dermatophytes. They are common and unsightly but seldom cause serious infections.

Lung Infecting Fungi

• Humans breath spores daily--usually without harm. However, immunodeficient patients are at risk of serious lung infections that can become systemic.

Deep Mycosis

• A deep mycosis is a serious fungal infection of deep tissue that often spreads to parts of the body far from the original site of infection. Almost any organ can be affected. The source of the infection is usually spores in the lungs or a traumatic injury.

Ray Fungi (Actinomycetes)

• Although not truly fungi, the "ray fungi" are usually considered along with other fungal infectious agents because they cause infections with symptoms similar to those seen in mycoses. The ray fungi are actually a type of filamentous bacteria known as Actinomycetes.