MYCOLOGY TERMS

Farmer's lung disease is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis that is caused by Aspergillus spp from moldy hay or
straw.
Darling’s disease
- Darling, a world-leading pathologist discovered Histoplasmosis to be a fungal infection in 1905 therefore it is also
called as Darling's disease. Transmission occurs in areas like caves containing bat or bird droppings, chicken coops,
birdhouses, bird roosts, or soil contaminated with such droppings.
Valley fever
- is caused by a person inhaling spores of Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. It's named after the San
Joaquin Valley in California.
Balanitis
- Candidiasis of the penis. A male yeast infection caused by a yeast called Candida. It's also known as
Candida balanitis. The most common cause of balanitis is related to inadequate personal hygiene in uncircumcised
males.

Deadly mushrooms
Toxin: Amanitin caused by Amanita phalloides
Amanitin is derived from the highly poisonous fungus Amanita phalloides (death cap) or the closely related Amanita
verna or Amanita virosa.. Alpha-amanitin, a cyclic octapeptide, is toxic because of its affinity for eukaryotic DNA-
dependent RNA polymerase II and inhibit transcription, thus MRNA synthesis. Since this enzyme RNA polymerase II
is responsible for mRNA synthesis in the cell, the compound is a potent and selective inhibitor of mRNA synthesis.
It is effective at concentrations below 1 μg/ml, and its specific action has made it useful in experimental biology. It is
used with antibiotic, actinomycin D to block RNA synthesis.
A single mushroom can be fatal. The toxicity results from thermostabile toxins (amatoxins and phallotoxins) present
in the mushroom.
- They cause hepatorenal failure. The lesion produced by mushroom poisoning is steatosis and centrizonal (zone
3) necrosis.
- Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal cramps/pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Within 1 to 2 days, hepatocellular jaundice and uremia are noted.
- Central nervous system abnormalities such as coma, and convulsions in the first 3 days after ingestion.
- Myocardial involvement of premature ventricular beats.
- Hemolytic anemia. Mortality rate is 10% to 25%.
- Death within 4 to 8 days results from hepatic failure, severe dehydration, and collapse or central nervous system
complications. No specific antidote is available.

Mushrooms that cause hallucinations

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound produced by more than 200
species of fungi. Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens.
Psilocybin is dephosphorylated into the active compound psilocin, which activates serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors in
CNS, mimicking the effects of serotonin. which has mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD, mescaline, and DMT.
The major hallucinogenic alkaloid isolated from Psilocybe mushrooms (also known as Teonanacatl or "magic
mushrooms"). It has a role as a hallucinogen, a fungal metabolite, a prodrug and a serotonergic agonist.

Present data suggest that psilocin increased both the extracellular dopamine and 5-HT concentrations. In general, the
effects include euphoria, visual and mental hallucinations, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and
perceived spiritual experiences. It can also cause adverse reactions such as nausea and panic attacks

Psilocybin fosters greater connections between different regions of the brain in depressed people, freeing them up
from long-held patterns of rumination and excessive self-focus. Psilocybin is used as treatment of Anxiety and Stage
IV Melanoma.