Some fungi are more versatile than others; for example, some fungi are used in medicine, while others are toxic. Consider the dimorphic fungi, which can exist in two different forms. At room temperature, they usually appear as molds. But, when exposed to body temperature or grown in enriched media, they transform into a yeast-like substance, or sometimes spherules.
This shape-shifting ability is triggered by temperature, which is why it’s called thermal dimorphism. This highlights their ability to withstand varying temperatures, although they can still be affected by cold as discussed in this article about how fungi survive freezing temperatures.
While this is a fascinating trait, it also has important implications for human health. Several types of dimorphic fungi are pathogens, meaning they can cause disease in humans. In fact, these fungi are responsible for a significant number of systemic mycoses, which are infections that can spread throughout the body. The CDC estimates that Onygenales dimorphic fungi cause over 650,000 new infections each year in the United States alone.
This article will take a closer look at some of the key dimorphic fungal pathogens, including:
- Blastomyces
- Coccidioides
- Histoplasma
- Paracoccidioides
We’ll explore their unique characteristics, how they are identified, and how their evolutionary adaptations contribute to their virulence, or ability to cause disease.
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