Virulence factors that damage the host a. As fungi grow in the body, they can secrete enzymes to digest cells . In response to both the fungus and to cell injury, cytokines are released . As seen earlier under Bacterial Pathogenesis, this leads to an inflammatory response and extracellular killing by phagocytes that causes further destruction of host tissues . These toxins may cause a variety of effects in humans and animals if ingested including loss of muscle coordination, weight loss, and tremors.
Some mycotoxins are mutagenic and carcinogenic.
Aflatoxins, produced by certain Aspergillus species, are especially carcinogenic. The azole derivative antibiotics such as clotrimazole, miconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole , are fungistatic drugs used to treat many fungal infections. They interfere with ergosterol biosynthesis and thus alter the structure of the cytoplasmic membrane as well as the function of several membrane-bound enzymes like those involved in nutrient transport and chitin synthesis. They are used to treat dermatophyte infections. A person living in the Southwestern U.S. develops a severe respiratory infection.