RT Book, Section A1 Ryan, Kenneth J. SR Print(0) ID 1185634362 T1 Fungi—Basic Concepts T2 Sherris & Ryan's Medical Microbiology, 8th Edition YR 2022 FD 2022 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781260464283 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1185634362 RD 2024/03/28 AB OverviewThe fungal kingdom encompasses a diverse and rich group of organisms ranging from microscopic yeasts to mushrooms. Most fungi are free-living in nature where they function as decomposers in the energy cycle. Of the more than 90,000 known fungal species, fewer than 200 have been reported to produce disease in humans. Once considered clinical rarities, human fungal infections are becoming increasingly common, especially among immunocompromised patients. Therefore, it is important to understand the unique clinical and microbiological features of these diseases.