What are arthroconidia or Arthrospores?

When the soil is disturbed by wind or excavation, arthrospores readily disarticulate into single arthroconidia (rectangular spores measuring 8-30 μm in diameter) and become airborne. (See the image below.) The arthroconidia are the infectious particles of coccidioidomycosis.

What causes arthroconidia?

Arthroconidia are a type of fungal spore typically produced by segmentation of pre-existing fungal hyphae.

How are arthroconidia formed?

A large variety of fungi are known to produce asexual spores known as arthroconidia. These propagules are formed by segmentation of existing hyphae and may form by several mechanisms. The specific processes of formation may lead to acropetal, basipetal, or random formation of endoarthroconidia or exoarthroconidia.

What is Ectothrix and Endothrix?

Endothrix refers to dermatophyte infections of the hair that invade the hair shaft and internalize into the hair cell. This is in contrast to exothrix (ectothrix), where a dermatophyte infection remains confined to the hair surface.

Is Coccidioides contagious?

Is Valley fever contagious? No. The fungus that causes Valley fever, Coccidioides, can’t spread from the lungs between people or between people and animals.

Is Coccidioides a yeast or mold?

Mycology and Epidemiology. Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus that exists as a mold in the environment and as a spherule in vivo.

What is an ectothrix?

Ectothrix infection is defined as fragmentation of the mycelium into conidia around the hair shaft or just beneath the cuticle of the hair, with destruction of the cuticle.

What causes endothrix?

tonsurans causes endothrix hair invasion often referred to as “black-dot” because hairs break off close to the surface. Kerion is an inflammatory pustular folliculitis involving circumscribed scalp areas, most commonly caused by T. verrucosum.

How do you get coccidioidomycosis?

Coccidioidomycosis is acquired by inhaling spores. Spores are present in soil and can become airborne in dust that can travel downwind. Thus, certain occupations (eg, farming, construction) and outdoor recreational activities increase risk.

What is a Chlamydoconidia?

(klə-mĭd′ə-spôr′) n. A thick-walled fungal spore that is derived from a hyphal cell and can function as a resting spore.