Fungus Among Us
These organisms, including fungi, have membrane-bound organelles and a defined nucleus, making them part of this domain of life.
What is Eukaryota?
Unlike multicellular helminths, protozoa are this type of organism.
What is unicellular?
Alexander Fleming discovered this groundbreaking antibiotic, derived from a mold, in 1928.
What is penicillin?
This single-celled fungal form reproduces by budding and has a thick cell wall made of chitin and glucans.
What is yeast?
These multicellular parasitic worms belong to the biological kingdom Metazoa and infect humans worldwide.
What are helminths?
This type of fungal infection affects only the outermost layers of skin and hair, and includes conditions like tinea versicolor.
What are superficial mycoses?
This whip-like structure enables certain protozoa, like Giardia lamblia, to move through their environment.
What is a flagellum?
Molds produce these round, airborne spores that facilitate fungal dissemination and infection.
What are conidia?
This yeast species is the most common cause of candidiasis in humans.
What is Candida albicans?
Helminth infections often trigger this class of antibody, which plays a key role in allergic reactions and defense against parasites.
What is Immunoglobulin E (IgE)?
This group of fungal infections is caused by dimorphic fungi found in specific geographic regions, such as Histoplasma in the Ohio River Valley.
What are endemic mycoses?
The body location of Toxoplasma gondii, the protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis.
What is intracellular?
This common mold genus produces spores that can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals.
What is Aspergillus?
This common appearance of superficial Candida infection on mucous membranes is characterized by white, creamy plaques that can be wiped off, often leaving a red, inflamed surface underneath.
What is oral thrush (or pseudomembranous candidiasis)?
Helminths commonly enter the human body either by consuming contaminated food or water containing parasites. This is the another method.
What is skin contact/invasion?
These immune cells are the first line of defense, recognizing and killing fungi through phagocytosis and oxidative mechanisms.
What are neutrophils and macrophages?
This single-celled protozoan causes malaria, transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito.
What is Plasmodium?
Infections by this mold genus, Aspergillus, are most commonly seen in patients with these two major conditions.
What are neutropenia and corticosteroid use?
Onychomycosis, a nail infection caused by Candida species, is classified under this broader category of Candidainfections affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
What is superficial or cutaneous candidiasis?
This type of immune cell, activated by helminth infections and IgE, releases histamine to help expel parasites.
What are mast cells?
In fungal infections, dendritic cells activate this T-helper cell subtype by producing IL-6 and IL-23, which is critical for mucosal defense and neutrophil recruitment.
What is TH17?
This clever strategy, used by many parasites, allows them to avoid immune detection by frequently changing their surface proteins.
What is antigenic variation?
This “fungus ball” made of Aspergillus hyphae often forms in pre-existing lung cavities from tuberculosis or other diseases.
What is an aspergilloma?
This emerging Candida species is known for multidrug resistance and causing outbreaks in healthcare settings worldwide.
What is Candida auris?
This type of chronic inflammation, characterized by clustered macrophages, often forms in response to helminth infections as the immune system walls off parasite eggs or larvae.
What is granulomatous inflammation?