Fungi cause three different types of human illness: poisonings, para sitic i nfections, and allergies. Many poisonous mushrooms are eaten by mistake because they look like edible mushrooms. Parasitic yeasts cause candidiasis, ringworm, and athlete's foot. Mold allergies are very common.
The most dangerous is the "critical group," which contains just four fungal pathogens: Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Candida auris.
Mild fungal skin infections can look like a rash and are very common. For example, ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus—not a worm. Fungal infections in the lungs can be more serious and often cause symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as bacterial pneumonia or tuberculosis.
In addition to rhinitis and asthma, exposure to fungi is associated with a number of other illnesses including allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses, allergic fungal sinusitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Harmful Fungi
Five species of molds - aspergillus, fusarium, lomentospora, scedosporium and mucormycetes - have been identified as “killers of humans”.
Antifungal drugs treat fungal infections by killing or stopping the growth of dangerous fungi in the body. Fungi can develop resistance to antifungal drugs the same way bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics.
Aspergillus infection, Athlete's foot, Jock itch, Ringworm, Coccidioidomycosis, Sporotrichosis, valley fever, histoplasmosis are the few of the many deadly diseases caused by fungi.
On the other hand, pathogenic fungi cause plant diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spot, rust, wilt, blight, coils, scab, gall, canker, damping-off, root rot, mildew, and dieback. Systemic foliar pathogens are major causes for yield and commercial crop losses and diminished crop quality [2].
More than 600 fungal species are associated with humans, either as commensals and members of our microbiome or as pathogens that cause some of the most lethal infectious diseases (2–4).
Examples of fungi are yeasts, rusts, stinkhorns, puffballs, truffles, molds, mildews and mushrooms. Word origin: Latin fungus (“'mushroom'”).
Essential to many food and industrial processes, fungi are used in the production of enzymes, organic acids, vitamins, and antibiotics. Fungi can also destroy crops, cause diseases in humans (e.g., candidiasis and ringworm), and ruin clothing and food with mildew and rot.
Fungi also help our fruit and vegetables grow. They make nutrients and water available to the plant so it can grow. Many fungi can also act as natural defenders of crops from parasites, replacing chemical pesticides. A huge variety of the food on our plates are given a helping a hand by our fungal friends.
While most fungi species don't pose a threat to humans, a handful can cause problems. These include Aspergillosis, Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Coccidiosis. They rarely infect healthy people—those who are immunocompromised are the most susceptible hosts.
Fungi reproduce by spreading microscopic spores. These spores are often present in the air and soil, where they can be inhaled or come into contact with the surfaces of the body, primarily the skin. Consequently, fungal infections usually begin in the lungs or on the skin.
The most common types of fungi that cause serious or life-threatening infections include: Aspergillus, which causes aspergillosis. It most often affects people with lung disease or a weakened immune system. Candida, which causes candidiasis, also called thrush.
A healthcare provider can diagnose a Candida infection with a sample of your blood. The sample goes to a lab, where staff put it in a special substance and wait to see whether Candida multiplies. Test results can take a few days.