Fungi: A Diverse World with Potential Risks

Fungi: A Diverse World with Potential Risks

Fungi are a diverse group of organisms encompassing parasitic, saprophytic, and symbiotic fungi. They are eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, lacking chlorophyll and therefore needing to absorb organic matter from their environment to survive.

General Structure:

• Hyphae: Form the fungal mycelium, aiding in nutrient absorption and growth.

• Fungal Cells: Compose yeasts, exhibiting a round or oval shape.

Growth Characteristics:

• Do not require sunlight but necessitate suitable temperatures and humidity for development.

• Capable of rapid reproduction.

• Widely distributed in the environment, easily thriving in various conditions.

Classification:

• Based on Reproduction:

• Sexual:

• Class Phyco: Reproduction through eggs.

• Class Asco: Reproduction through asci.

• Class Basidio: Reproduction through basidia.

• Asexual:

• Class Adelo: Reproduction through asexual spores.

• Based on Hyphae Morphology:

• Solid Hyphae: Class Actino.

• Tubular Hyphae: Class Phyco, Asco, Basidio, Adelo.

Role of Fungi:

• Benefits:

• Symbiotic fungi aid plants in nutrient absorption.

• Yeasts are used in wine, beer, and bread production.

• Medicinal fungi possess therapeutic properties.

• Harms:

• Parasitic fungi cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants.

• Saprophytic fungi lead to food spoilage, wood rot, and fabric deterioration.

Fungal Diseases:

• Mycetoma: Caused by *Actino.bovis* and *Nocardia asteroides*.

• Madura Foot: Caused by fungi from the *Actino* class.

• Jock Itch: Caused by *Actino.minuti* growing on the epidermis.

• Tinea versicolor: Caused by *P. Vesicolor* (scientific name: *P. orbiculare*).

• Black Piedra: Caused by *Piedra hortai* belonging to the *Hermis* order, *Asco* class.

• White Piedra: Caused by *Tr.beigelli*.

• Fungal Keratitis: Caused by *Candida albicans* belonging to the *Adelo* class.

• Otomycosis: Caused by *Candida* belonging to the *Adelo* class, *Penicillium*, and *Aspergillus* belonging to the *Asco* class.

• Dermatophytosis: Caused by *T. Rumbrum*.

• Candidiasis: Caused by *Candida albicans* belonging to the *Adelo* class and *C. neoformans* belonging to the *Asco* class.

• Meningitis/ Skin and Nervous System Diseases: Caused by *C. neoformans*.

• Sporotrichosis: Caused by *S. schenckii*, leading to lesions along lymph vessels.

• Histoplasmosis: Caused by *His.capsulatum*, the only parasitic fungus causing disease within cells.

• Oral Thrush, Diarrhea, Vaginitis: Caused by *Candida albicans*.

Note:

• 9/10 fungal diseases in Vietnam are caused by pathogens belonging to the *Asco* class.

• Tinea versicolor manifests as discolored patches with slight flaking, clearly defined.

• Tinea corporis is caused by *T. Rubrum*.

• Malnutrition can cause *Candida* to transition from saprophytic to parasitic.

• Dimorphic fungi like *Blastomyces* can exist in both yeast and hyphal forms.

Additional Information:

• Actino: Solid hyphae.

• Phyco, Asco, Basidio, Adelo: Tubular hyphae.

Fungi are a diverse group of organisms with varied roles, ranging from beneficial to harmful for human health. Understanding fungi helps us prevent and treat fungal diseases while harnessing their advantages across numerous life domains.