cutaneous fungus


fungus

 [fun´gus] (pl. fun´gi) (L.) any member of the kingdomfungi, a group of eukaryotic organisms that includes mushrooms, yeasts, and molds, which lack chlorophyll, have a rigid cell wall in some stage of the life cycle, and reproduce by means of spores. Fungi are present in the soil, air, and water, but only a few species can cause disease. Types of fungal disease (see mycosis) include histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, ringworm, athlete's foot, and thrush. Although the fungal diseases develop slowly, are difficult to diagnose, and are resistant to treatment, they are rarely fatal except for systemic mycotic infections, which can be life-threatening, especially for immunocompromised patients (see opportunistic mycosis).cutaneous fungus dermatophyte.

cutaneous fungus

(1) An obsolete term for a dermatophyte.
(2) A generic term for any fungus found on the skin surface, whether or not it is associated with pathology.