[Infectiology] Fungi

Taxonomy 

• Fungi

 

Classification 

Domain: Eukaryota  

Kingdom: Fungi 

• Phylum : Ascomycota  

• Phylum : Basidiomycota  

• Phylum : Microsporidia 

• Phylum : Zygomycota 

 

Characteristics 

• Singular: fungus. Plural: fungi.
• Eukaryotic
• Have chitin in their cell walls. 
• Cannot photosynthesise (autotrophism). 
• They are heterotrophic (like animalia), often secreting digestive enzymes. 
• Most species grow as hyphae (thread-like structures) and form a network of hyphae called a mycelium. 
• Some species are microscopic and some are macroscopic.

 

Pathology 

• Mycosis = fungal infection
• Dermatophytosis (Ringworm) = tinea = fungal skin infection
• Onychomycosis = tinea unguium = fungal nail infection