DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LAOAG

School of Nursing, Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology

Department of Nursing

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

LEARNING PACKET MODULE

in
MC 3
MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

LEARNING PACKET 7

MYCOLOGY
BSN LEVEL I
Second Semester A.Y. 2023-2024

Prepared by:
Mr. Janver B. Pellogo, BSN, RN
Ms. Dona Rose B. Buted, BSN, RN
Mr. Mike Synder D. Longgay, RN, USRN
Instructors

Disclaimer: The information contained in this communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or
entity to whom it is addressed and others authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution
or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful
(RA No. 10173 Data Privacy Act 2012).
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 DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LAOAG
School of Nursing, Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology
Department of Nursing

LEARNING PACKET 7: Mycology

(Finals)

TOPICS:

MYCOLOGY
I. General Characteristics of Fungi
II. Reproduction of Fungi
III. Classification of Fungi
IV. Fungal Infections of Humans

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this learning packet, you should be able to:
1. Define mycology and determine its scope.
2. Discuss the characteristics and reproduction of fungi.
3. Determine the classification of fungi.
4. Identify the fungal infections of humans.

ACTIVITIES:
A. Engagement
 Overview
 Review on the pre-requisite subjects of Microbiology and
Parasitology (Anatomy & Physiology and Biochemistry)
B. Explore
 Mycology
 Fungi
 Fungal Infections of Humans
C. Apply
 Draw Yeast, Mould, Dimorphic fungi, Microsporidia, and Fleshy
Fungi

OVERVIEW:
The word fungus is from the Latin word for mushroom, which
is also similar to the Greek word for sponge. Indeed, the familiar
mushroom is a reproductive structure used by only some of the
fungi. There are many fungal species that don't produce
mushrooms at all. The kingdom Fungi includes an enormous variety
of living organisms collectively referred to as Eucomycota, or true
Fungi. While scientists have identified almost 150,000 species of
fungi as of 2020, this is only a fraction of the millions of fungal species likely present on
Earth.

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 DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LAOAG
School of Nursing, Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology
Department of Nursing

MYCOLOGY
Fungi are a diverse group that are now classified across three kingdoms. Those
that are pathogenic to humans and animals are placed in the Kingdom Fungi (also
called Eumycota). The study of fungi is MYCOLOGY, and a person who studies fungi is
called MYCOLOGIST.

I. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FUNGI

Fungi are found almost everywhere on Earth;
some (the saprophytic fungi are living on organic
matter in water and soil, and others (the parasitic
fungi) living on and within animals and plants.
Some are harmful, others are beneficial. They also
live on many unlikely materials causing
deterioration of leather and plastics and spoilage
of jams, pickles, and many other foods. Beneficial fungi are important in the
production of cheeses, beer, wine, and other foods, as well as certain drugs (e.g.,
immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine) and antibiotics (e.g., penicillin).
As saprophytes, their main source of food is dead and decaying organic
matter. By secreting digestive enzymes into dead plants and animal matter, they
decompose this material into absorbable nutrients for themselves and other living
organisms; thus they are the original "recyclers".
Fungi are sometimes incorrectly referred to as plants, but they are not. One
way that fungi differ from plants and algae is that they are not photosynthetic; they
have no chlorophyll or other photosynthetic pigments. The cell walls of algal and
plant cells contain cellulose (a polysaccharide), but fungal cell walls do not. Fungal
cell walls do contain a polysaccharide called chitin, which is not found in the cell
walls of other microorganisms. Chitin is also found in the exoskeletons of anthropods.
Although many fungi are unicellular (e.g., yeasts and microsporidia), others
grow as filaments called hyphae (sing., hypha), which intertwine to form mass called
a mycelium or thallus; thus they are quite different from bacteria, which are always
unicellular. Also remember that bacteria are prokaryotic; whereas fungi are
eukaryotic. Some fungi have septate hyphae (meaning that the cytoplasm within the
hypha is divided into cells by cross-walls or septa), whereas others have aseptate
hyphae (meaning that the cytoplasm within the hypha is not divided into cells; no
septa). Aseptate hyphae contain multinucleated cytoplasm (described as being
coenocytic). Learning whether the fungus possesses septate or aseptate hyphae is
an important "clue" when attempting to identify a fungus that has been isolated from
a clinical specimen.

II. REPRODUCTION OF FUNGI

Fungal cells can reproduce by budding, hyphal extension, or the formation of
spores (sexual and asexual spores).
Sexual spores are produced by the fusion of two gametes (thus, by the fusion
of two nuclei). They have variety of names (e.g., ascospores, basidiospores, and
zygospores), depending on the exact manner which they are formed. Fungi are
classified taxonomically in accordance with the type of sexual spores are produced.
Asexual spores are formed in many different ways, but not by the fusion of gametes.
If the reproductive structure is formed within a sac-like structure calls a
spoorangiospore (or spore). However, if the reproductive structure arises from a
fungal component called a conidiophore, then the spores are referred to us conidia
(sing., conidium). Fungal spores and conidia are very resistant structures that are
carried great distances by wind. They are resistant to heat, cold, acids, bases, and
other chemicals. Many people are allergic to fungal spores.
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 DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LAOAG
School of Nursing, Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology
Department of Nursing

III. CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI

The taxonomic classification of fungi has undergone significant changes in
recent years. One current classification divides the Kingdom Fungi into five phyla.
Classification of fungi into these phyla is based primarily on their mode of sexual
reproduction. The two phyla known as "lower fungi" are the Zygomyticona
(Zygomycota) and the Chytriodiomycotina (Chytriomycota). Zygomycotina include
the common bread moulds and other fungi that cause food spoilage.
Chytridiomycotina, which are not considered to be true fungi by some toxonomists,
live in water (water moulds) and soil. The two phyla known as "higher fungi" are the
Ascomycotina (Ascomycota) and Basidiomycotina (Basidiomycota). Ascomycotina
include certain yeasts like Candida species, moulds like Aspergillus and Penicillum,
and some fungi that cause plant diseases (e.g., Dutch elm disease). Basidiomycotina
include some yeasts like Cryptococcus, some fungi that cause skin infections and
plant diseases, and the large "fleshy fungi" that live in the woods (e.g., mushrooms,
toadstools, bracket fungi, and puffballs).
Some fungi classification schemes contain a phylum called Deuteromycotina
(Deuteromycota). This phylum is sometimes referred to as the Fungi Imperfecti.
Contained in this phylum are fungi in which the sexual form of the organism has not
been discovered or that the organisms have lost the ability to perform sexual
reproduction. Deuteromycetes include certain medically important moulds such as
some species of Aspergillus and yeasts such as Candida albicans.

Selected Characteristics of the Phyla of Fungi (Eumycota)

Phylum Type of Type of Sexual Type of Asexual Examples
Hyphae Spore Spore
Zygomycotina Aseptate Zygospore Nonmotile Rhizopus, Mucor,
(Zygomycota) sporangiospores Apophysomyces
Chytriodiomycotina Aseptate Unknown or Motile zoospores Chytrids (no
(Chytridiomycota) spore or human
sporangium pathogens)
Ascomycotina Septate Ascospore Conidia Aspergillus,
(Ascomycota) Fusarium,
Histoplasma,
some Candida
Basidiomycotina Septate Basidiospore Rare Cryptococcus,
(Basidiomycota) Trichosporon,
Malassezia
Microsporidia None None None Nosema,
Enterocytozoon
Deuteromycotina Septate None observed Conidia Candida
(Deuteromycota) albicans

1. YEASTS
Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled (unicellular)
organisms that lack mycelia. Individual yeast cells
(blastospores or blastoconidia) can be observed only
through a microscope. They usually reproduce by
budding but occasionally do so by a type of spore
formation. Sometimes, a string of elongated buds is
formed called pseudohypha (pl., pseudohyphae). It
resembles a hypha, but it is not a hypha. Some yeasts
produce thick-walled, sporelike structures called
chlamydospores (chlamydoconidia).
Yeasts are found in soil and water and on the skins of many fruits and
vegetables. Wine, beer, and alcoholic beverages had been produced for centuries
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School of Nursing, Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology
Department of Nursing

before Louis Pasteur discovered that naturally occurring yeasts on the skin of grapes
and other fruits and grains were responsible for these fermentation processes. The
common yeast Sacchromyces cerevisiae ("baker's yeast") ferments sugar to alcohol
under anaerobic conditions. Under aerobic conditions, this yeast breaks down simple
sugars to carbon dioxide and water; for this reason, it has long been used as
leavening agent in bread production. Yeasts are also a good source of nutrients for
humans because they produce many vitamins and proteins. Some yeasts (e.g., C.
albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) are human pathogens. C. albicans is the
yeast most frequently isolated from human clinical specimens, and is also the fungus
most frequently isolated from human clinical specimens.

2. MOULDS
Although it is frequently spelled "molds", mycologists
prefer to use "moulds". They are often seen in water and
soil and on food. They grow in the form of cytoplasmic
filaments or hyphae that make up the mycelium of the
mould. Some of the hyphae (called aerial hyphae) extend
above the surface of whatever the mold is growing on,
and some (called vegetative hyphae), are beneath the
surface. Reproduction is by spore formation, either sexually
or asexually. The fungi Phytophthora infestans caused the potato blight mould that
caused a famine in Ireland in the mid-19th century.
Moulds have great commercial importance. There are antibiotic-producing
moulds (such as Penicillium and Acremonium). Some moulds are also used to
produce large quantities of enzymes (such as amylase), citric acid, and other
organic acids. The flavor of cheeses, such as blue cheese, Roquefort, camembert,
and limburger, is the result of moulds that grow in them.
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3. DIMORPHIC FUNGI
Dimorphic fungi are fungi that can live either as
yeasts or moulds, depending on growth condition. When
growing in the body or at 37 degrees Celsius, they exist as
unicellular yeasts and produce yeast colonies. When
growing in the environment or in vitro at room
temperature (25 degrees Celsius), they exist as moulds,
producing mould colonies (mycelia).
Dimorphic fungi that can cause human diseases include Histoplasma
capsulatum (causes histoplasmosis), Sporothrix schenckii (causes sporotrichosis),
Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii (causes coccidioidomycosis), and
Blastomyces dermatitidies (causes blastomycosis).

4. MICROSPORIDIA
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular
parasitic fungi. They are small in size (1-4um). They
possess a unique organelle called the polar filaments.
When it infects another cell, it extrudes the polar
filament, which penetrates the recipient cell. The
spore then injects its genetic material (called
sporoplasm) into the cell through the polar filaments.
Microsporidia mainly cause infections in
immunocompromised hosts especially in the eye or
GIT (e.g., diarrhea and malabsorption).

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 DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LAOAG
School of Nursing, Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology
Department of Nursing

5. FLESHY FUNGI
The large fungi that are encountered in forests, such
as mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs, and bracket fungi, are
collectively referred to as fleshy fungi. Mushrooms are a
class of true fungi that consist of a network filaments or
strands (the mycelium) that grow in the soil or in a rotting
log, and a fruiting body (the mushroom that rises above the
ground) that forms and releases spores. Each spore, much
like the seed of a plant, germinates into a new organism.
Many mushrooms are delicious to eat, but others, including some that resemble
edible fungi, are extremely toxic and may cause permanent liver and brain damage
or death if ingested.

IV. FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF HUMANS

2 1. Superficial Mycoses - fungal infections of the outermost areas of the human body,
such as hair, fingernails, toenails, and the dead, outermost layers of the skin (the
epidermis).
2. Cutaneous Mycoses - fungal infections of the living layers of the skin (dermis).

Examples: Dermatophytes cause tinea infections or "ringworm" infections. It includes

tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea unguium (fingernails and toenails), tinea capitis
(scalp), tinea barbae (face and neck), tinea corporis (trunk of the body), and tinea
cruris (groin area).

3. Subcutaneous Mycoses - fungal infections of the dermis and underlying tissues (e.g.,
Madura foot).
4. Systemic Mycoses - also called generalized mycoses. Fungal infections of internal
organs of the body, sometimes affecting two or more different organ systems
simultaneously (e.g., conidia of pathogenic fungi inhaled causing deep-seated
pulmonary infection).

Additional Learning Materials

Click this link to watch a video on:
Introduction of Fungi
https://youtu.be/0HK8y6k2j94?si=R4pqO3DsYtujn2Up

All About Fungi

https://youtu.be/UCgKHOo0nU4?si=wyHfq9sx8pbGSBrg

Reference:

Engelkirk, P. et al. (2019). Burton's Microbiology for the Health Sciences.

Eleventh Edition. C & E Publishing, Inc.

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 DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LAOAG
School of Nursing, Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology
Department of Nursing

LET'S DIG DEEPER!

At the end of this learning packet, prepare for a short
quiz for an assessment of your understanding of our topics.
Remember to bring blue/black ballpen and a lengthwise
paper. Prepare well to answer with confidence and avoid
erasures during the quiz because "erasures" means "wrong".
In addition, you are tasked to draw Yeast, Mould,
Dimorphic fungi, Microsporidia, and Fleshy Fungi on a long
bond paper.

------------------------------------------ END OF LEARNING PACKET 7 ---------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The information contained in this communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or
entity to whom it is addressed and others authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged
information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution
or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful
(RA No. 10173 Data Privacy Act 2012).