Pathogenic Yeasts

Book excerpt: Mycological studies of yeasts are entering a new phase, with the sequencing of multiple fungal genomes informing our understanding of their ability to cause disease and interact with the host. At the same time, the ongoing use of traditional methods in many clinical mycology laboratories continues to provide information for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. This volume reviews various aspects of pathogenic yeasts and what is known about their molecular and cellular biology and virulence, in addition to looking at clinical and laboratory findings. As each chapter is written by a leading expert in the field, this book summarizes in one volume much of the latest research on several pathogenic yeasts, including Candida, Cryptococcus, Malassezia and yeasts of emerging importance. The importance of laboratory diagnosis, antifungal susceptibility testing, antifungal resistance and yeast diseases in animals are reviewed.