Which of the following fungi is considered dimorphic?
ExplanationThe classification of fungal infections is typically based on anatomic location of infection and epidemiology of the organism. Additionally, it is important to know the descriptive characteristics of fungi in culture because that informa - tion may be useful clinically. Endemic mycoses (e.g., coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis) are infections that are caused by fungi that are not typically part of human microbial flora. Opportunistic mycoses (e.g., Candida, Aspergillus) are infections that are caused by fungi that are commonly part of the human microbial flora. Yeasts (Candida, Cryptococcus) are seen microscopically as single cells or rounded organisms. Molds (Aspergillus, Rhizopus) grow as filamentous forms (hyphae) at room temperature and in tissue. Dimorphic is the term to describe fungi that exist as yeasts or large spherical structures in tissue but in filamentous forms in the environment. Blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and sporotrichosis are typically dimorphic. Candida may exist as a yeast or filamentous form in tissue infection, with the exception of Candida glabrata, which only exists as a yeast in tissue infection.
