Basic mycology underscoring medically important fungi.

This article details the basic mycologic features of yeast and mold-like fungi causing infections in humans. Concordant with the mycologic attributes delineating species identification, the pathogenic potential of mycotic agents is discussed with particular reference to intrinsic fungal virulence factors (e.g., exoenzymes) and host factors (e.g., neutrophil function, underlying disease) predisposing to colonization and infection.