Glossary

Antibodies: Antibodies are protective proteins produced by your immune system. They attach to antigens (foreign substances) — such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and toxins — and remove them from your body. An antibody test looks for antibodies in your blood that responds to specific fungi (e.g. Antibodies that detect Galactomannan, a component of Aspergillus).
Antigens: An antigen is a marker that tells your immune system whether something in your body is harmful or not. Antigens are found on fungi, viruses, bacteria, tumors and normal cells of your body. Antigen testing is used to diagnose fungal infections.
Biomarkers: Biomarker testing involves detecting molecules that indicate a fungal pathogen is present (e.g. Cryptococcal antigen).
Cutaneous: Relating to or affecting the skin
Dimorphic fungi: Refers to fungi that exist in two forms, yeast and molds.
Disseminated: Having spread throughout the body and usually involving more than one organ
Echinocandins: Antifungal therapy for common fungal infections to which rare fungi are commonly resistant
Endemic mycoses: Fungal infections with a regional distribution
Fungal spores: Microscopic biological particles that allow fungi to reproduce, serving a similar purpose to that of seeds in the plant world
Immune-compromised: Individuals whose immune system cannot respond effectively to an infection as a result of cancer chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, receipt of immune suppression after a solid organ transplant, or a disease of the immune system that renders them susceptible to opportune infections.
Mold: Form of fungi that is multicellular, organized into hyphae, w/without cross walls or branching, asexual or sexual reproduction, colonies usually appear fuzzy (e.g. Aspergillus)
MYCARE: Mycology Advocacy, Research & Education (MYCARE) Foundation is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with serious or invasive fungal infections.
Mycology: Branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans
Pathogenic fungi: Types of fungi that can cause diseases in humans and animals. These fungi have the ability to invade host tissues and can effectively overcome the host’s immune defenses, leading to infections.
PCR: A molecular test used to detect DNA. This type of assay is often used in infectious diseases to detect pathogens including fungi. There are PCR tests that can detect “all fungi” (pan-fungal) or individual fungi (strain-specific).
Pulmonary: Relating to the lungs
Radiology: Radiological imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are important tools in the diagnosis of IFDs.
Yeast: Form of fungi that grows as single cells, usually reproduce by budding, usually form smooth, flat, conically shaped colonies (e.g. Candida)