dimorphic fungi
Chapter: 9c
Fungi that have both a yeast and a mycelial phase, depending upon the temperature. The common dimorphic fungi include: Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidus, and Paracoccidioides brasilensis.All of these organisms are capable of infecting normal hosts, although they have become a big problem in the immunocompromised population. The geographic localization of these fungi is characteristic, and should be familiar to every physician.