Fungal Diseases: From Infections to Prevention

A disease caused by fungus is called fungal infection or mycosis. Fungal infections are divided into three categories depending on the part of body they affect. They are classified as superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic. Superficial fungal infections are benign infections which affect the skin, scalp and nails. They are caused by dermatophytes or Candida albicans. Subcutaneous infections such as eumycetoma and chromoblastomycosis target the tissues in and under the skin. Systemic fungal infections are more fatal and include cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, pneumocystis pneumonia, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis. These fungal infections can be caused by fungi such as yeasts, molds, and fungi that can be both a mold and yeast. The line of treatment is based on the nature of the fungal infection, and usually requires topical or systemic antifungal medicines. Prevention of fungal infections involves wearing clean clothes and practicing good hygiene. This book, with its detailed analyses and data, will prove immensely beneficial to researchers and students involved in the study of fungal diseases. It is a collective contribution of a renowned group of international experts. This book strives to provide a fair idea about the fungal infections as well as their prevention.