Fungus (redirected from dimorphic fungus)

fungus /fun·gus/ pl. fun´gi   [L.]

1. any organism belonging to the Fungi.

2. anything resembling such an organism.

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dimorphic fungus  one that lives as a yeast or mold, depending on environmental conditions.

imperfect fungus  one whose perfect (sexual) stage is unknown.

perfect fungus  one for which both sexual and asexual types of spore formation are known.

true fungi  Eumycota.

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fun·gus (fnggs)

n. pl. fun·gi (fnj, fngg) or fun·gus·es

Any of numerous eukaryotic organisms that reproduce by spores. The spores of most fungi grow a network of slender tubes called hyphae that spread into and feed off of dead organic matter or living organisms. The hyphae often produce specialized reproductive bodies, such as mushrooms.

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Fungus

A single-celled or multi-celled organism without chlorophyll that reproduces by spores and lives by absorbing nutrients from organic matter.

Mentioned in: Antibiotics, Topical, Antifungal Drugs, Systemic, Jock Itch, Pneumocystis Pneumonia

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fungus (fung´gs),

n a class of vegetable organisms of a low order of development, including mushrooms, toadstools, and molds. Examples include
Candida albicans and
Histoplasma, Trichophyton, Actinomyces, and
Blastomyces organisms. Oral and systemic moniliasis (thrush) is produced by overgrowth of
C. albicans, which is a normal resident in the oral cavity. When the patient's health is compromised, the organism may assume a pathogenic role (opportunistic infection).

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fungus

pl. fungi [L.] a general term for a group of eukaryotic organisms (mushrooms, yeasts, molds, etc.) marked by the absence of chlorophyll, the presence of a rigid cell wall in some stage of the life cycle, and reproduction by means of spores. Fungi are present in the soil, air and water, but only a few species can cause disease. Among the fungal diseases (mycoses) are histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and ringworm. Although the fungal diseases develop slowly, are difficult to diagnose, and are resistant to treatment, they are rarely fatal.

Another important section of the disease spectrum caused by fungi is the mycotoxicoses, e.g. facial eczema, ryegrass staggers, mushroom poisoning—amanita, ramaria, clavaria, cortinarius, clitocybe, inocybe, psilocybe, sclerodermia.

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dimorphic fungus

those with two growth forms, molds or yeasts, depending on whether they are grown on artificial media or occur in the environment or in tissues or alternatively, depending on the incubation temperature. Included are Sporothrix schenckii, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. These organisms typically cause deep or systemic mycoses in animals and humans.