TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - The Opportunistic Fungi: Candida, Aspergillus, the zygomycetes, and Pneumocystis A1 - Ryan, Kenneth J. PY - 2017 T2 - Sherris Medical Microbiology, 7e AB - The “opportunistic fungi” are usually found as members of the resident human microbiota or as saprophytes in the environment. With the breakdown of host defenses, they can cause infections ranging from skin/mucous membrane involvement to life-threatening, systemic disease. The most common opportunistic infections are caused by two species: the yeast Candida albicans, a common inhabitant of the gastrointestinal and genital microbiota; and the mold Aspergillus fumigatus which is widespread in the environment. Pneumocystis, a frequent cause of pneumonia in AIDS patients, is an unusual fungus that used to be considered a parasite on morphologic grounds. However, it too is a frequent colonizer of the human respiratory tract. The diseases caused by these opportunistic fungi are summarized in Table 46–1. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1148676981 ER -