Hazards to laboratory staff posed by fungal pathogens.

There is sufficient evidence from the literature to demonstrate the risk involved in handling the dimorphic pathogens without suitable containment facilities. The number of fungi considered a severe hazard is fortunately low, but impeccable working practices and continuous vigilance are necessary to minimize accidents and to prevent them leading to worse catastrophies. The continuing discovery of new opportunistic pathogenic fungi requires frequent, objective and cautious review of the hazard groupings to accommodate them.