Defining Parasitic Fungal Disease

Parasitic fungal disease is a general term used to describe the medical conditions that result when certain types of fungi infect a human host. Of the three separate types of fungi, one category in particular causes the condition, with each specific species of fungus causing a different disease with distinct symptoms. Certain groups of people are more susceptible to parasitic fungal diseases.

Aspects

• Most species of fungi exist in a symbiotic relationship with a host. While mycorrhizal fungi cooperate with a live host and saprophytic fungi live off the remnants of a deceased host, parasitic fungi survive off a live host while causing harm to the host. Parasitic fungi can be divided into two main categories: Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes. When humans become infected with fungi from one of these categories, they can develop a number of medical conditions, some of which are potentially fatal.

Types

• The most common parasitic fungi infecting humans include Aspergillus, Candida, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Pneumocystis,and Mycetoma. Some of these fungi result in serious medical conditions; others cause persistent problems with the skin, hair or nails.

Serious Parasitic Fungal Diseases

• A number of potentially fatal diseases can result from certain parasitic fungal infections. These diseases include aspergillosis, which can cause severe lung problems and kidney and liver damage; cryptococcal disease, which can result in life-threatening meningitis; and Lutz-Splendore-Almeida disease, caused by paracoccidiodomycosis. Nearly all of the serious parasitic fungal diseases are contracted by the individual inhaling the spores of the fungus into their lungs.

Superficial Parasitic Fungal Diseases

• Some types of parasitic fungi cause less serious, superficial diseases of the skin, hair or nails. Examples of these types of fungal disorders include athlete's foot, which can affect the skin of the feet and groin; and ringworm, which causes red, blistery, itchy patches to develop on the skin. Superficial parasitic fungal diseases can be treated effectively with antifungal medications.

Risks

• While anyone can contract a parasitic fungal disease, individuals who have a compromised or suppressed immune system are particularly susceptible to becoming infected with a fungi. These include people who have diseases such as HIV, AIDS, lymphoma or leukemia, and people using immunosuppressant medications for the treatment of a medical condition or autoimmune disorder. These drugs include chemotherapy drugs, glucocorticoids and anti-rheumatic drugs.