Understanding Fungi and Fungal Diseases: Causes & Symptoms

Fungi cause various diseases of animals as well as human beings. Some of the serious human diseases---for example, diseases of skin, ear, throat and nose as well as bronchial and intestinal disorders---are cause by various groups of fungi.

Aspergillus

• Some species of aspergillus such as A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger are human pathogens. These species of fungal mold cause infections collectively known as "aspergillosis," such as aspergillosis of the lungs and the ear canal.

Fungi Imperfecti

• Many parasites such as Fungi imperfecti live in mucous membranes of the throat, bronchi and lungs, causing infections of mouth and lungs.

Skin disease

• A few fungi cause skin discoloration. Some common diseases known as "ringworm" and "barber's itch" are also fungal diseases.

Athlete's foot

• Trichophyton fungi cause the infection known as athlete's foot.

Thrush

• Monilia, a member of the class Fungi imperfecti, causes a throat or mouth disease known as thrush.