Candida
Pneumocystis
Microsporum
Epidermophyton
Histoplasma
Aspergillus
Trichophyton
a common mold that can grow on plants, and sometimes produces very toxic aflatoxins. Corn and peanuts are particularly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Consumption of aflatoxin, even in minute amounts, can cause serious illness in humans and livestock.
another dermatophyte genus, usually affects only skin and nails.
A third dermatophyte genus, tends to prefer hair or skin to nails.
often abundant in deposits of bird or bat droppings, humans become infected by inhalation. This fungus can grow in the lungs and occasional enter the bloodstream, causing a dangerous generalized infection (histoplasmosis).
one of the so-called “dermatophyte” genera, this fungus produces keratinases that allow it to digest, and thus live in, the keratin abundant in hair, skin, or nail tissues. Trichophyton is thus responsible for many fungal infections of the hair, skin, and nails.
historically thought to be a protozoan, recent evidence suggests that this organism is a fungus. Although mostly harmless to healthy persons, it is a significant illness in persons with HIV/AIDS.
this is the yeast genus responsible for most human yeast infections, both of the vagina and the mouth (where the infection is called “thrush”).
