FUNGI STRUCTURE & GROWTH OF FUNGI

- can be microscopic or macroscopic

(mushroom) organisms
• A diverse group of spore-producing
eukaryotic organisms that is found ✓ MICROSCOPIC structure
almost everywhere on Earth and feed
on organic matter, including molds, A. UNICELLULAR FUNGI
yeast, mushrooms
• They can be seen in the environment - only few are unicellular like yeasts
as: - can perform all the activities efficiently on its
A. saprophytic fungi own
- main source of food is dead and
decaying organic matter
- “garbage disposers” / “recyclers”
- they secreting digestive enzymes onto
the dead plant and animal matter,
decompose this material and absorb
the nutrients that they can get from
there

B. parasitic fungi - still contains membrane-bound organelles

- living on and within animals and
plants; cannot make its own food so it is
dependent on its host
C. beneficial fungi
- attributed to the production of
cheeses, beer, wine, and other foods
and drugs
- their cell wall is made up of CHITIN
- SPORES Capable of asexual reproduction of
fungi (BUDDING)
- Pseudohyphae – chains of easily disrupted
fungal cells marked by constrictions rather than
septa at the junctions

• are NOT PLANTS because they have no B. MULTICELLULAR FUNGI

chlorophyll, hence they can’t
photosynthesize
• may cause disease in plants and animals
especially on immunocompromised
hosts
• MYCOLOGY - study of fungi

COMPARISON: FUNGI VERSUS BACTERIA

Feature Fungi Bacteria
Nucleus Eukaryotic Prokaryotic
Organelles Present & Few are
Membrane- absent and
bound not
membrane-
bound • CELL WALL – surround the entire fungi
Cell Wall Chitin Peptidoglycan and is made up of a rigid polysaccharide
content
called CHITIN
Spores Reproduction Survival

MC3 (Lecture) CDU – CN A.Y ’20-’21 FUNGI

 • HYPHAE – are elongated, tubular
filaments that contain the organelles
and nucleus of the fungi
- most fungi perform EXTRACELLULAR
DIGESTION meaning they secrete
digestive enzymes into the environment
where there is availability of food. They
break down complex components into
simpler ones so that they can easily
absorb it thru their hyphae
• MYCELIUM – a branched network of
hyphae or can be seen as a collection of
hyphae that intertwine
• SPORES – capable of sexual or asexual
reproduction of fungi; they function like
seeds wherein they may land where
there is moisture and food, it may be
able to grow (germinate) and produce
its hyphae. - Knowing the hyphae is an important “clue”
when attempting to identify a fungus that has
been isolated

2 TYPES OF HYPHAE: (Penicillium)

(1) SEPTATE HYPHAE
- contains septa, which are cross walls that
divide the hypha into cells
- allow passage and exchange of fluids and
nutrients from one cell to another
(2) ASEPTATE HYPHAE
- without septum; protoplasm is continuous
FUNGAL REPRODUCTION
- Fungal spores are very resistant structures that
are carried great distances by wind. They are
resistant to heat, cold, acids, bases, and other
chemicals
2 TYPES OF FUNGAL REPRODUCTION
(1) ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
- production of asexual spores / CONIDIA thru
simple cell division or mitosis and not by the
fusion of gametes

(2) SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

- production of sexual spores done by the
fusion of two gametes or simply the fusion of
two nuclei

MC3 (Lecture) CDU – CN A.Y ’20-’21 FUNGI


MAJOR CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI:
(1) YEASTS
- are eukaryotic single-celled (unicellular)
organisms that lack mycelia
- They are unicellular but eukaryotic because
their DNA is enclosed in a cell wall.
- reproduce by budding, which is a form of
asexual reproduction
- found in wine, beer, and alcoholic beverages,
soil and water, skin of fruits and veggies
- Common examples of YEASTS:
a. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (“baker’s yeast)
- ferments sugar to alcohol, breaks down simple
sugars to carbon dioxide and water; for this
reason, it has long been used as a leavening
agent
MC3 (Lecture) CDU – CN A.Y ’20-’21 FUNGI
b. Candida albicans
- an opportunistic yeast that lives harmlessly on
the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth,
GIT and GUT
- when conditions cause a reduction in the
number of indigenous bacteria (such as in an
immunocompromised state), C. albicans flourish
leading to superficial / systemic yeast infections
(2) MOLDS
- fungi often seen in water and soil and on food
- multicellular and grow in the form of hyphae
- its hyphae (called aerial hyphae) extend above
the surface of whatever the mold is growing on,
and some (called vegetative hyphae) are
beneath
-Reproduction is by spore formation, either
sexually or asexually.
- great commercial importance: Penicillium
(Penicillin) the first antibiotic
(3) DIMORPHIC FUNGI
- can live either as yeasts or as molds
- at body temperature (37 °C): exist as
unicellular yeasts
- at room temperature (25°C): exist as molds
-ex : Histoplasma capsulatum (which causes
histoplasmosis)
(4) FLESHY FUNGI
- commonly encountered in forests
- Mushrooms are a class of true fungi consists
of network of filaments (mycelium) that grow in
the soil
MAJOR MODES OF TRANSMISSION
(1) Direct Skin Contact with infected host
(2) Indirect Contact with contaminated fomite
such as hair brushes, clothing, caps, bed linens,
towels
(3) Inhalation of Fungal spores
If the spores are inhaled into the lungs, they
may germinate there to cause a respiratory
infection. Pathogens may then invade further to
cause widespread systemic infections,
especially in immunosuppressed individuals.
General Mechanism of Causing Human Disease Tinea faciei Ringworm of Face exclusive
• Fungi do not secrete toxins. the face of the beard
• Tissue damage associated with fungal and mustache
areas
infections results primarily from direct
Tinea manuum Ringworm of hands
invasion of tissue, with subsequent
the hand
displacement and destruction of vital
Tinea cruris Jock itch Groin
structures plus toxic effects of the Tinea pedis Athlete’s foot Foot
inflammatory response. Tinea unguium Nail fungus nail
• Invasion leads to mechanical MOT:
destruction of tissues & obstruction of - Direct skin contact from an infected host
flow of fluids due to masses of fungal - indirect contact with fomites such as towels,
cells. It may obstruct bronchi in lungs, razors, clothing, and any fomite
tubules, ureters, and even blood
vessels. MGT & Prevention:
- Topical antifungal agents
CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGAL DISEASES
- use clean towel daily and avoid sharing
MYCOSES - fungal infections of humans
- skin areas and skin folds should be dried
thoroughly
1. SUPERFCIAL MYCOSES
- affects the outermost areas of the human - use loose, cotton clothing
body: hair, fingernails, toenails, the dead, 2. DEEP MYCOSES
outermost layers of the skin (the epidermis), (A) SUBCUTANEOUS MYCOSES
the living layers of skin (dermis) - more severe type than the superficial mycoses
- Superficial mycoses are all caused by molds - fungal infections of the tissues underlying the
- common examples: dermis
Mycoses Fungi Presentation - grotesque in appearance
Pityriasis Malassezia -Hypo or - common examples:
versicolor / furfur hyperpigmentation on
Tinea Mycoses Fungi Presentation
the skin usually on the
versicolor Sprotri- Sporothrix - usually occurs on a
back or chest
chosis schenckii person’s hand or the arm
- common in puberty age (dimorphic after touching
and in tropical areas fungus)
“rose contaminated plant
Tinea Dermato- - tinea lesions are circular gardener's matter
infections/ phytes and raised, prompting disease” - fungal - has the potential to
Dermato- speculation that a worm spore found disseminate and become
phytoses/ lay coiled beneath the in soil and systemic
Ringworm skin surface rose thorns - small, painless bump
- infection is named after that can develop after
the body part that’s exposure to the fungus
affected The bump can be red,
pink, or purple, and
usually appears on the
*List of specific tinea infections… finger, hand, or arm where
Name Lay term Parts affected the fungus has entered
Tinea capitis Ringworm of Scalp and hair through a break in the
the scalp shafts skin. The bump will
eventually grow larger and
Tinea corporis Ringworm of General areas
may look like an open sore
the body of the body or ulcer that is very slow
Tinea barbae Ringworm of Beard and to heal.
the beard mustache
areas

MC3 (Lecture) CDU – CN A.Y ’20-’21 FUNGI

 Myce- Cmold) - chronic granulomatous MOT:
tomas infection that involve the - inhalation of fungal spores
feet (usually), hands, or
other areas
- indirect contact thru fomites
- causes firm, usually
painless but debilitating MGT & Prevention:
masses under the skin that - systemic antifungal therapy
can eventually affect the
- for immunocompromised individuals, wear
underlying bone
N95 respirator / mask
MOT:
- Direct skin contact with fungal spores via
break in the skin
- indirect contact with fomites

MGT & Prevention

- antifungal therapy
- wearing shoes and gloves, most especially
when gardening or handling soil, to prevent
injuries

(B) SYSTEMIC MYCOSES

- fungal infections of internal organs of the body
affecting two or more different organ systems
simultaneously, most common instance is when
respiratory system and the bloodstream are
both affected
- common examples:
Mycoses Fungi Presentation
Pneumo- Pneumo- - opportunistic
cystis cystis pathogen commonly
pneumo- jirovecii acquired by patients
nia with weakened
immune system
(HIV/AIDS,
corticosteroid
therapy)
-extremely rare in
healthy people
- fever, cough,
dyspnea, chills

Aspergil- Aspergil- - opportunistic

losis lus (mold) pathogen commonly
acquired by patients
with weakened
immune system
- fever, cough,
dyspnea, chills,
aspergilloma (fungus
ball)

MC3 (Lecture) CDU – CN A.Y ’20-’21 FUNGI

 APPENDIX
(Fig: Common Fungal Infections)

1. SUPERFCIAL MYCOSES

Tinea Capitis

Pityriasis Versicolor / Tinea Versicolor

Tinea Barbae

Tinea Pedis
2. DEEP MYCOSES
(A) SUBCUTANEOUS MYCOSES

Early Sporotrichosis Advanced Sporotrichosis

MC3 (Lecture) CDU – CN A.Y ’20-’21 FUNGI

 Mycetomas

(B) SYSTEMIC MYCOSES

Aspergilloma

MC3 (Lecture) CDU – CN A.Y ’20-’21 FUNGI