Increases in various fungal infections due to Candida, Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Histoplasma spp., and Dermatophytes have attracted interest in the biochemistry of the fungal pathogens responsible. This book discusses the importance of lipids in pathogenic fungi and how they are involved in infections that pose serious health problems. The role of lipids in dimorphism, adherence, and virulence of fungi is investigated as is their composition and metabolism. Several chapters are devoted to examinations of specific pathogenic fungi, which will be particularly useful to researchers studying the clinical manifestations of infections caused by these factors. Later chapters present possible antifungal agents and nonconventional agents that target the organisms discussed earlier. Collectively, the contributions to this volume provide an excellent overview of this field. This text is essential for practicing clinicians and for everyone involved in the important task of resolving the problems associated with fungal pathogenicity.

Selected Human Pathogenic Fungi. Fungal Lipids. Fungal Sterols. Lipids of Histoplasma capsulatum. Lipids of Candida albicans. Lipids of Aspergillus. Lipids of Cryptococcus neoformans. Lipids of Dermatophytes. Lipids and Lipid-like Compounds of Fusarium. Lipids and Dimorphism of C. albicans and Sporothrix schenckii. Antifungals. Interaction of the Anti-Candida Amphotericin B (and Other Polyene Antibiotics) with Lipids. Index.