Dimorphic fungus

Histoplasma capsulatum

Histoplasma capsulatum – a dimorphic fungus

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  • Fungi which exist in 2 separate morphological forms depending of environmental temperature
    • Yeast form within the body or in cultures at 37C
    • in the soil or in cultures at 22C
  • Many fungi causing systemic infections are dimorphic fungi

Examples of dimorphic fungi:

  • Histoplasma capsulatum
  • Sporothrix schenckii
  • Blastomyces dermatitidis
  • Coccidioides immitis