Fungi are larger than bacteria
Have nuclei with multiple chromosomes and cytoplasm containing mitochondria and ribosomes
Can reproduce sexually by meiosis
Pathological by (1) infection - superficial, subcutaneous, systemic (2) toxin production (3) hypersensitivity reactions
Predisposition - Immunocompromise; premature, AIDS, indwelling lines

Classification

• Yeasts
• Filamentous fungi
• Dimorphic fungi

Candida

• Commonest human pathogen is candida albicans sp
• Affects mucous membranes (vagina, cervix, oropharynx), skin, respiratory tract, urinary tract
• Risk:

1. Diabetes
2. Immunocompromised
   1. Acquired: drugs (steroids, cytotoxics), AIDS, leukaemia
   2. Congenital

• Diagnosis: (1) Microscopy (2) Culture (3) Antigen detection in urine, blood (4) Antibody detection (5) Increased arabinitol - a metabolite of candida in serum 

Pathogenic fungi

• Cryptococcus neoformans
• Malassezia furfur
• Dematophytes
• Toulosis glabrata
• Aspergillus fumigatus
• Microsporum audouinii
• Pneumocystis carinii