Types of Fungal Diseases –CDC

Hormones, medicines, and changes in the immune system encourage fungal growth and cause infection

About 1.5 million different species of fungi are found on Earth, with 300 of those known to cause infections and sicken people. Fungi live outdoors in soil and on plants and trees as well as on many indoor surfaces and on human skin.

 Aspergillosis

Caused by the fungus Aspergillus and usually occurs in people with lung diseases or weakened immune systems.

Candidiasis

Caused by the yeast Candida. Candidiasis can occur in the mouth and throat, vagina, or the bloodstream.

Types of Candidiasis

• Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus
• Vaginal Candidiasis
• Invasive Candidiasis

Global Emergence of Candida auris

Candida auris is an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat. Healthcare facilities in several countries have reported that C. auris has caused severe illness in hospitalized patients. C. auris is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs.

C. neoformans infection

Caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, which can infect the brain (meningitis) in people with HIV/AIDS.

Fungal eye infections

Different types of fungi can cause eye infections. These are rare but can develop after an eye injury.

Mucormycosis

A rare infection that mainly affects people with weakened immune systems.

Ringworm

A common fungal skin infection that often looks like a circular rash.

Blastomycosis

Caused by the fungus Blastomyces, which lives in moist soil in parts of the United States and Canada.

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

Caused by Coccidioides, a fungus that lives in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America.

C. gattii infection

Caused by the fungus Cryptococcus gattii, which lives in soil in tropical and sub-tropical areas, the United States Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia.

Histoplasmosis

Caused by the fungus Histoplasma, which lives in the environment, often in association with large amounts of bird or bat droppings.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious infection caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. Most people who get PCP have a medical condition that weakens their immune system, like HIV/AIDS, or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness. Image: Pneumocystis jirovecii in the lung of an HIV/AIDS patient.

Sporotrichosis

Caused by the fungus Sporothrix, which lives throughout the world in soil and on plants.

Other pathogenic fungi

Exserohilum and Cladosporium are two examples of environmental molds.

Source: CDC