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General Fungi Characteristics
The world of fungi is a diverse and unique branch of life. Some are microscopic and deadly. Some are sold in cans and on pizzas. Furthermore, there are probably thousands that we are yet to find and, maybe, never will.
A fungus is more or less, a plant that lacks chlorophyll. So, without chlorophyll how do fungi get their food? Well, they are parasites and depend on other organisms for there organic nutrition. Therefore, many fungi fall under the category of saprophytes (living off dead organic matter) in soil and water and acquire their food by absorption. Similarly, fungi are chemoheterotrophs, that is, they must consume organic molecules for energy and carbon. All classified funguses are eukaryotic and are capable of producing both sexual and asexual spores. With over 100,000 species recognized, there is much diversity and variety. All of these species are grouped into two primary groups yeasts and moulds. (Each group with their own defining characteristics.) However, within this vast array of fungi there are only about 100 fungal representatives that are pathogenic to humans.
Pathogenic Fungi
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Such pathogenic fungi include groups such as Trichophyton rubrum, psilocybe, Cryptococcus neoformans, and aspergillosis. This small group of infectious agents in themselves are capable of a enormous spectrum of side-effects hallucinations, oral and vaginal rashes, allergic reactions, the world-re-known athlete’s foot, asthma-typical conditions, wheezing, pneumonia, central nervous system (CNS) decapitation and failure, et al. These reactions are defined as fungal infections. A fungal infection is “any inflammation caused by a fungus. Most fungal infections are mild, but hard to get rid of.” (Mosby’s Medical Encyclopedia, 001) There are four subcategories of fungal infection superficial - localized to the skin, the hair, and the nails, subcutaneous - infection confined to the dermis, subcutaneous tissue or adjacent structures, systemic - deep infections of the internal organs, and opportunistic - cause infection only in the immunocompromised. These fungal infections or mycoses are defined by their location in the body’s tissue layers and the method they use to invade their host. Usual treatment of simple mycoses is with fungicides, antibiotics, gels, iodine preparations, and creams. Two commonplace fungicidal drugs are fluconazole and Amphotericin B. However, in more severe cases, more extreme measures may be required, such as “suppositories and mouth washes, troches, lotions, creams, tablets and capsules containing gentian preparations as an active ingredient obtained from the, plant Radix gentianae Longdancao other active ingredients which may also be present are American Radix Ginseng, Radix Scutellariae Basica Lensis and Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis.” (Chen, 18) While these anti-fungal measures are very extreme and exhaustive, they are very few fungi with such potency. By taking a closer look into a few of these pathogenic funguses, perhaps, we can better understand them and better appreciate their role in the world today.
Trichophyton Rubrum
Background and History
Of all the mycotic pathogens in the world, none are more prevalent than Trichophyton rubrum. Some experts estimate “that 70% of the population will be infected at some time in their lives.” (Dr. Martin and Dr. Elewski 00) Trichophyton rubrum are representatives of dermatophytes. (A dermatohphyte is any one of the several fungi that cause skin disease in humans.) Trichophyton rubrum was concentrated in Europe and developing countries before World War I. However, many experts concur that this strain was brought to America with soldiers returning home from the warfront. The first case was reported and documented in Birmingham, Alabama during the 10’s. This commonplace fungus goes by the name of “athlete’s foot.” The reason for such a name is because many athletes tend to provide excellent growing conditions for Trichophyton rubrum in their shoes no sunlight, improper ventilation, sweating, and not washing one’s shoes regularly.
Defining Characteristics
“Many strains and varieties of T. rubrum have been described and opinion differs between mycologists as to the exact validity of many of these.”(Unknown, 1) In general, there are two recognized distinct types of Trichophyton rubrum downy and granular. (These, of course, are microscopic differences.) The downy type can be noted by its production of a few to many of thin club shaped micro-conidia (an asexual spore) and no macro-conidia. Microscopically, the granular type differ from the downy type because of their production of a few spear shaped micro-conidia and modest to numerous quantities of thin-walled, cylindrical macro-conidia. Another defining characteristic of Trichophyton rubrum is its parasitic state superficial.
Symptoms and Side Effects
The “athlete’s foot” infection or tinea pedis is most directly associated with exercise because the body must produce excess perspiration to cool off. And it is this “excess perspiration” that provides the essential element for all fungi to grow, water. Also, swimming and communal bathing can add to risk of catching this fungus. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that it could be genetic and heritable.
This fungus will clearly identify itself when firmly established into one’s foot with cracking and itching, small blisters, watery discharge, reddish eruptions, and constant scaling of the skin. One of the reasons that this fungus is so prevalent throughout the entire world today is because is it highly contagious and infectious. This particular dermatophyte is a superficial parasite. It invades “the superficial keratin of the skin and the infection remains limited to this layer. It is thought that temperature and serum factors, such as beta globulins and ferritin, play a role in limiting the infection.”(Martin and Elewski, 00) How well this fungus thrives in the cutaneous layer of its host depends on the host’s immune system. A more serious side effect of Trichophyton rubrum is onychomycosis. Without proper treatment of tinea pedis and prolonged exposure to it, the chances of onychomycosis increase greatly. This is a fungal infection that is particular to the toenails and is very difficult to cure.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It does not take a medical doctor or lab specialist to diagnose “athlete’s foot” or a mild rash. However, to explicitly identify Trichophyton rubrum requires potassium hydroxide (KOH) testing. “To diagnose zoophilic fungal infections, a potassium hydroxide preparation of the skin scrapings may be examined microscopically or a culture may be obtained.”(Radentz, 11) Treatment for this infection is simple. Usually creams, sprays, and gels can be obtained without prescription. However, in more severe cases, prescribed oral anti-fungicides may be required.
Cryptococcus neoformans
Background and History
Some fungi are known for their prevalence throughout the world, others are known for their lethality. Cryptococcus neoformans is one the most lethal fungi known to man. While this particular strain does not have quite the extensive history as Trichophyton rubrum, it has increased dramatically in the last ten years with the recent onslaught of AIDS and the increasing widespread use of immunosuppressive drugs. Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast that is found in contaminated soil around the world. It is even more closely associated with bird droppings, especially pigeons and chickens. This particular yeast is the organism that causes meningitis. “Meningitis is a cryptococcal infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord caused by the yeast-type organism Cryptococcus neoformans.”(Mosby’s Medical Encycylopedia, 001) About 5 out of 1,000,000 people are affected by meningitis.
Defining Characteristics
Structurally, Cryptococcus neoformans is identifiable from other funguses by its mode of procreation, budding instead of forming spores. Also, this strain is basidiomycetous. “Members of Basidiomycota play a major role in the decomposition of organic matter in the soil and wood”. (Wischusen and Jolissaint, 00)
This fungus enters the body, usually, as a dehydrated yeast cell through the respiratory system and comes to rest in the lungs. Upon arrival to the lungs, the cells re-hydrate. Then they develop a polysaccharide capsule characteristic that enhances its ability to survive because they are “chemotactic for neutrophils.”(Buchanan and Murphy, 18)
Although this infection begins with the lungs, it disseminates throughout the rest of the body and has a predilection for the (CNS.) The reason for this preference is still somewhat a bit of a mystery. Some recent studies and research points to some very interesting and credible theories. Studies show that the immune systems abilities are greatly handicapped within the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF.) Therefore, the inability of the immune system to produce an adequate inflammatory response to Cryptococcus neoformans may show why this pathogen concentrates itself in the (CNS). “Furthermore, the alternate pathway of complement is absent in the CSF. By contrast, CSF is a good growth medium for the organism in culture, possibly because of trophic properties of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the CSF and absent cryptococcus-toxic proteins.”(Thomas, 00)
Also, another interesting newly discovered trait of this fungus is its ability to reproduce to an extent without nitrogen or water. “Recently, Wickes (et al.) reported that the -mating type of C. neoformans can produce monokaryotic hyphae on a solid medium without a nitrogen source or water.”(Buchanan and Murphy, 18) However, of all the ways this pathogen identifies itself, none more clearly than in HIV-AIDS infected patients. “The incidences of HIV-AIDS patients with opportunistic infections of the central nervous system are increasing. Of these, cryptococcal meningitis is the most important and serious.”(Tanyanont et al., 1) In the medical field today, cryptococcal meningitis is an AIDS defining condition in most cases.
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