OPTOMETRY · SEMESTER 2 Introduction To Mycology Microbiology and Parasitology START READING NOTES Contents of This Topic mycology Learning objective Defition of related terms Structure of fungi Structural components of fungal cells General characteristics of fungi cont… General characteristics of fungi Taxonomic classification of fungi Fungi of medical importance Major fungal Diseases of ocular importance and their Drugs Major fungal Diseases of ocular importance and their Drugs cont Candida albicans is a common fungus that lives in the human body, but an overgrowth can lead to infections. Diseases caused by fungi of medical importance Diseases caused by fungi of medical importance cont… 3. Cryptococcus neoformans 4. Histoplasma capsulatum 5. Coccidioides spp 6. Mushrooms (Toxic groups, e.g., Amanita species) Drugs of choice used for treatment of fungi of medical importance There are three basic forms of fungi Yeasts Molds Dimorphic Fungi Classification of Fungi basing on their phyla Fungi are classified in four phyla Ascomycota (Ascomycetes) Zygomycota (Zygomycetes) Basidiomycota (basidomycetes) Chytridiomycota Key Points Evaluation questions References mycology concepts about fungi Learning objective Definition of mycology and fungi Describe the structure of fungi Explain characteristics of fungi of medical importance Classify fungi basing on their modern phyla Identify fungi of ocular medical importance Explain diseases caused by fungi of ocular medical importance List drugs of choice used for treatment fungi of ocular medical importance Defition of related terms Mycology is a branch of microbiology which deals with the study of fungi, including their genetics , ecology , physiology and uses (such as in medicine ,food, and industry) as well as the disease they may cause in animals, plants and humans . Fungi are the eukaryotic organisms that include yeast, molds and mushrooms that live heterotrophically Structure of fungi Fungi are eukaryotic organisms , meaning that they have true nucleus and membrane bound organelles Their structure varies depending on their cellular nature e.g. single cellular or multicellular Structural components of fungal cells Cell wall made up of chitin (a tough, flexible and nitrogen containing polysaccharide , which provides shape, protection ,prevents desiccation and acts a barrier against environmental stress They have at least one nucleus and nuclear bound membrane within their cellular structure They have cytoplasm containing cellular organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and Mitochondria responsible for specific functions They do not have chlorophyll or chloroplast in their structure Structural components of fungal cells Vegetative structure, fungi posses the body structure called thallus which may be : unicellular (yeast) Single celled , oval shaped cells Reproductive by budding or fission, example saccharomyces cerevisiae Multicellular ( molds and mushrooms), made up of long , thread like filaments called hyphae and a mass of hyphae is called mycelium Structural components of fungal cells They have specialized structures for reproduction or fruiting process; the fungi reproduce by forming spores (asexually and sexually) Asexual spores Sporangiospores –produced inside a sac called a sporangia (sporangiosphore) in Zygomycota Conidiospores (conidia)-asexual spores formed externally (not in sac) on a specialized hyphae called conidiophore in Ascomycota Chlamydospores–thick-walled spores formed from hyphal cells in Zygomycota and blastopores-the spores formed by budding of the parent cells (sexual spore) Zoospores –produced in the sporangium in Chytridiomycota with flagella General characteristics of fungi cont… Most fungi are obligate or facultative aerobes. They are chemotrophic organisms (source of energy are chemical compounds rather than sunlight) Fungi are heterotrophic organisms; they secrete enzymes into their surroundings to break down organic matters and absorb nutrients. Some have the structural parts that are specialized for nutritional acquirement e.g. hyphae, mycelium, rhizoids and haustoria They are Saprophytic, parasitic, or mutualistic: Saprophytic: Decompose dead organic matter. Parasitic: Feed on living hosts, sometimes causing disease. Mutualistic: Form beneficial relationships, like mycorrhizae with plant roots General characteristics of fungi Fungi are Eukaryotic cells: Fungi have a true nucleus enclosed in a membrane. Their cell walls contain chitin: Unlike plants (which have cellulose), fungal cell walls are made of chitin, a tough, flexible nitrogenous containing compound. They are non-vascular: They lack xylem and phloem, so they don’t transport water or nutrients like plants do. Unicellular or multicellular: Yeasts are unicellular, while molds and mushrooms are multicellular. Reproduce via spores: Both sexually and asexually. Asexual spores: Sporangiospores, conidia, etc. Sexual spores: Zygospores, ascospores, basidiospores General characteristics of fungi Achlorophyllous: They lack chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Typically non-motile: Most fungi do not move, although some spores may be motile during their reproduction Taxonomic classification of fungi Earlier fungi were classified mainly by their morphological features and reproduction but in phylogenic classification , fungi are grouped into phyla like . Ascomycota Zygomycota Basidiomycota Chytridiomycota This classification bases on the genetic sequence analysis and evolutionary relationship of fungi in phyla Fungi of medical importance Fungi of medical importance are the fungi that causes diseases , produce toxins or allergies to humans, examples of fungi include the following Candida albicans Microsporum Sprothrix spp Trichophyton spp Cryptococcus neoformans Histoplasma Coccidiodomides Mushroom Malassezia furfur Epidermophyton Aspergillus spp Blastomyces Major fungal Diseases of ocular importance and their Drugs Keratomycosis ( fungal keratitis) Caused by aspergillus, fusarium Features : Eye pain ,redness,blurred vision, cornea ulcer with feathery edges Drugs: natamycin( first line for filamentous fungi) Amphotericin B (for yeast infection) Voriconazole (broad-spectrum, severe cases) Endophthalmitis (fungal) candida albicanus Features: sever pain ,decreased vision, floaters ,inflammantion inside in eye DRUGS: Amphotericin B, Fluconazole, voriconazole Dacryocystitis ( fungal). Caused by aspergillus Features: infection of lacrimal sac, swelling near inner eye, dischage Drugs : Itraconazole , fluconazole and surgical drainage may be needed Major fungal Diseases of ocular importance and their Drugs cont Conjunctivitis (fungal –Rare) : caused candida , aspergillus Features: Redness, Irritation, discharge Drugs: Amphotericin B (Topical), Natamycin Blepharitis (Fungal- Rare): caused candida Features: Eyelid inflammation, itching, crusting Drugs: Ketoconazole topical/system, fluconazole Candida albicans is a common fungus that lives in the human body, but an overgrowth can lead to infections. Diseases ; Candidiasis Oral thrush: white, curd-like plaques in the oral cavity. Vaginal candidiasis: itching, discharge described as “cottage cheese”. Invasive candidiasis: bloodstream infections (candidemia), affecting organs like the eyes,