Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Pathogenic Fungi

Pathogenic fungi are fungal species capable of causing disease in humans, animals, and plants, ranging from superficial infections of skin, hair, and nails to invasive, systemic, and life-threatening mycoses. They are conventionally grouped by the host tissues they colonize and the nature of infection: dermatophytes…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 5 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 3× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2766-869X 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Pathogenic fungi are fungal species capable of causing disease in humans, animals, and plants, ranging from superficial infections of skin, hair, and nails to invasive, systemic, and life-threatening mycoses. They are conventionally grouped by the host tissues they colonize and the nature of infection: dermatophytes such as Microsporum and Trichophyton degrade keratin and cause superficial dermatophytoses; opportunistic yeasts and moulds, including Cryptococcus and members of the order Mucorales, produce deep infections that are especially dangerous in immunocompromised individuals, as seen in mucormycosis and cryptococcal meningitis. Keratinophilic and soil-borne fungi form important environmental reservoirs, while plant-pathogenic fungi such as Sclerotium cause substantial agricultural losses. Pathogenicity depends on virulence determinants including adhesion molecules, secreted hydrolytic and keratinolytic enzymes, thermotolerance, melanin and capsule production, and mechanisms for evading host immune defenses. Laboratory study relies on culture, microscopy, antigen assays, and increasingly molecular identification, often correlated with host biomarkers to gauge disease severity. Management combines antifungal pharmacotherapy with biological and natural control strategies, including plant-derived antimycotic extracts and biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma. Because resistance and host susceptibility complicate treatment, understanding the biology, ecology, and antifungal susceptibility of pathogenic fungi is central to medical mycology, veterinary medicine, and the broader study of Fungal Diversity.

Research published in this journal

5 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 5 articles above have been cited 3 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Pathogenic Fungi, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Fungal Diversity (ISSN 2766-869X).

Journal editorial board
Sudha Chaturvedi · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.