Limited to outer layers of skin and hair. Diseases are generally cosmetic, not life-threatening. Involves dermis, subcutaneous tissues and muscle. Most primary infections are inapparent. Progression may produce pulmonary symptoms or ulcerative lesions.
Host responses produce formation of syncytia, fibrous tissue, granulomas and calcified lesions.
Representative organisms are dimorphic, except for Cryptococcus , which is a yeast. Most common clinical presentation is meningitis. Some of the tissue responses may be due to mycotoxins, which are fungal metabolites that are toxic to the host. Aspergillus produces a toxin called aflatoxin that has a strong association with liver cancer. Systemic mycoses are generally asymptomatic but may have generalized symptoms including low grade fever, shaking chills, night sweats, malaise or appetite loss.