INTRODUCTION TO MYCOLOGY Dimorphic Fungi – pathogenic member of fungi that exhibits

Mycology – branch of science that deals with the study of diverse either yeast or molds form of fungi dependent on
group of fungi includes: temperature.

 Moulds/Molds Examples of Dimorphic Fungi

 Yeasts 1. Blastomycesdermatitidis
 Mushrooms 2. Histoplasmacapsulatum
 And other related organisms 3. Paracoccidioidesbrasiliensis
4. Coccidioidesimmitis
General Characteristics of Fungi 5. Sporothrixschenckii – opportunistic fungi
Fungi Bacteria
Eukaryotic Prokaryotic Examples of Yeast Form Only
Cell Structure
“has nucleus” “no nucleus” Cryptococcus neoformans
Polysaccharide:
 Mannan Examples of Molds Form Only
Cell Wall  Glucan Peptidoglycan/ Aspergillus spp.
Components  Chitin Muramic acid Penicillium spp.
 Other
polysaccharides Types of Hyphae
Cell 1. Based on Location on Culture Media
Membrane Sterol (Ergosterol) no sterol a. Aerial Hyphae
Composition - Extends upward or above the culture media.
endoplasmic - Fuzzy appearance of colonies.
Cytoplasmic no ER, no - Responsible for giving support to the reproduction
reticulum (rough),
Components mitochondria structure of the colony.
mitochondria
Size >5um <2um b. Vegetative or Submerged Hyphae
- Extends downward into the medium.
Spores – basic - Responsible for absorb nutrients and anchor the colony.
reproductive for reproduction for survival 2. Based on Pigmentation (Due to the Melanin content of Fungi)
unit of fungi a. Hyaline
Mode of Sexual rep. - Either non – pigmented, clear, colorless or slightly
Binary fission
Reproduction Asexual rep. pigmented.
- Moniliaceous (no melanin or in small quantity).
Metabolism Organic substances Less/few
b. Dematiaceous
Gas Obligate Aerobe - Darkly pigmented type of hyphae (due to the presence of
-
Requirements Facultative anaerobe melanin).
Thermal
Yes (some) No (monomorphic)
Dimorphism Stains Used to Demonstrate of Hyphae
1. Fontana – Masson Stain
*Sterol – component of membrane; site of attacks of antifungal; - Dematiaceous – BROWN COLOR
not selective it will attack the cells and hormones such as - Hyaline – PINK – RED COLOR
testosterone and progesterone causing impotence. 2. Gomori – Methylene Stain (Methanamine)
 Dematiaceous – BLACK COLOR
Two General Groups of Fungi  Hyaline – COLORLESS
(Based on Appearance in Culture Media and Microscopic
Appearance) Forms of Hyphae
1. Yeasts 1. Septate Hyphae – Cross wall in the hypha.
 Colonial Morphology: moist, creamy, opaque or pasty, smooth 2. Aseptate/Coenocytic Hyphae – without cross wall in the hypha.
with regular edge colonies in culture media.  Class of Zygomycota (Zygomycetes)
 Catalase Positive 3. Sparsely Septated Hyphae – reveals occasional septation.
 Microscopically: unicellular, spherical or ellipsoid fungal cells
ranging from 2 – 60 um. Colony Morphology
 Old Colonies: Bigger and bigger
Texture
 Yeast cell are possible in urine  Cottony – loose, high aerial mycelium
(ex. Candida spp. – normal flora in female genitalia). It can also
 Glabrous – smooth surface with no aerial mycelium
isolate in sputum and skin
 Granular – dense, powdery resembling sugar granules
2. Molds
 Velvety – low aerial mycelium resembling velvety cloth
 Colonial Morphology: fluffy, cottony, woolly, powdery in
culture media.
Appearance
 Microscopically: long, tubular, filamentous, branching
 Rugose – furrows radiate out from the center
structure  hypha(hyphae)/mycelium(mycelia)
 Umbonate – slightly raised in the center
Hypha – it is along, tubular, branching filamentous
 Verrucose – furrowed/convulated
structure of fungus.
Mycelium – it is amass of hyphae.  Flat

Yeasts Form: 35OC - 37OC

Mold Form: 22OC – 30OC
 Reproduction of Fungi
1. Asexual Reproduction/Imperfect/Anamorph
- results in the formation of conidia/spores following mitosis.

Structures:
a. Arthrospores/Arthroconidia – conidia/spores resulting from the
fragmentation of septated hyphae into single thicken cells.

Example:
Geotrichum spp.
Coccidioides spp.
Trichosporon spp.

b. Chlamydoconidia/Chlamydospores – spores form by rounding up

and thickening within a single hyphae segment.
Types:
1. Terminal – form at the end of the hypha.
2. Intercalary – form within the hypha.
3. Sessile – form at the side of the hypha.

Example:
Candida spp.

c. Sporangiospores – spores form within a sac (sporangium) at the end of

aerial hyphae called sporangiophore; non-septated hypha
Columella – base part.

Example:
Rhizopus spp.

d. Conidiospores – produce in a chain at the end of conidiophores

(hyphae) and not enclosed within a sac; non-septated hypha.
Phialide – base part

Example:
Penicillium spp.
Aspergillus spp. – produces toxin called Aflatoxin (carcinogenic).

e. Blastoconidia/Blastospores – form by budding cells where in daughter

pinching off from portion of the mother cell.

Example
Candida spp.

Types of Pseudohyphae
 Favic Hyphae
 Antler/Chandelier-like appearance
 Nodular Hyphae
 Racquet Hyphae
 Spiral Hyphae – Blastospore formation
 Rhizoids

2. Sexual/Perfect Reproduction – requires the joining of 2

compatible nuclei followed by meiosis.

2 Phases
 Plasmogamy – fusion of 2 different cells.
 Karyogamy – fusion of nuclei.

Structures:
a. Zygospores – results when nuclei of 2 cells that is
morphologically similar to each other fused.
b. Ascospres – results from the fusion of the nuclei of cells that can
be morphologically similar or dissimilar produce inside the ascus
(asci – plural).
c. Basidiospores – four spores form on the surface of the
specialized cells called basidium following meiosis; common mode
of reproduction of mushrooms.