Infections Caused by Yeasts and Yeast-Like Fungi

Yeasts and yeast-like fungi represent a diverse group of pathogens implicated in human disease. Candida spp. are the cause of mucocutaneous and invasive candidiasis, the latter an important hospital-onset disease. Cryptococcus spp. and Pneumocystis jirovecii are among the most important opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised persons, respectively causing cryptococcosis and Pneumocystis pneumonia. Malassezia spp. primarily cause disease of skin and hair, but occasionally cause an invasive mycosis, especially in premature infants. Other organisms like Trichosporon spp., Rhodotorula spp., Blastoschizomyces capitatus, and Saccharomyces are additional uncommon and opportunistic causes of human disease.

Duke Scholars

Author Ilan Schwartz Medicine, Infectious Diseases