Fungal infections

The fungi form a large, diverse group of organism, most of which are found as saprophytes in the soil and on decomposing organic matter. They are eukaryotic, but differ from other groups, such as plants and animal.

Disease caused by fungal infection depends on many factors, primarily host susceptibility, pathogenicity of the fungal species and dose of fungal organisms.

The risk of fungal infections is tied to both reprography and immune status. Immuno-compromised individuals are exponentially more likely to suffer from fungal infection.

Immuno-competent patients do acquire significant, often invasive fungal disease, especially in endemic areas.

Fungal infections can produce hematological alterations. The hematological changes include white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet abnormality. Fungal infections may increase or decrease numbers of circulating erythrocytes, leucocytes, and platelets or may induce qualitative changes in these elements, some of which affect their function.
Fungal infections