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Fungus-like hyphochytrids associated with human disease

N Bulajić1, S Velimirović, J Vukojević

  • 1Institute for Microbiology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

APMIS : Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica, Et Immunologica Scandinavica
|October 16, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Fungus-like organisms, Hyphochytriomycota, were discovered in human abscesses for the first time. Their role in human pathology requires further investigation, as they co-occurred with known pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Human infections are typically caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
  • The etiological agents of abscesses are diverse and can include polymicrobial flora.

Observation:

  • Two cases of human abscesses (liver and brain) were analyzed.
  • Inflammatory sites revealed the presence of fungus-like organisms from the phylum Hyphochytriomycota.

Findings:

  • This marks the first documented instance of Hyphochytriomycota in human clinical samples.
  • In the liver abscess case, Hyphochytriomycota were found alongside Peptococcus.
  • In the brain abscess case, Hyphochytriomycota were identified with Cysticercus cellulosae.

Implications:

  • The pathogenic role of Hyphochytriomycota in human disease remains uncertain.
  • Co-occurrence with known pathogens like Peptococcus and Cysticercus cellulosae complicates the determination of Hyphochytriomycota's direct contribution to human pathology.
  • Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance and potential pathogenicity of these organisms in humans.

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