Korean Journal of Medical Mycology  2003;8(3):97-102

Molds Identification I.

Shin Ok KIM 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Identification; Molds; Filamentous fungi; Morphology

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Fungi constitute nonmotile eukaryotic organism that are devoid of chlorophyll and reproduce by spores. There are 100, 000 validly described species of fungi and over 275 species of those described fungi have been reported to cause disease in man and animals. Molds called filamentous fungi belong to the class Hyphomycetes. In the identification of Molds, the cultures have been purified and then observe their colony characteristics and microscopic morphology. Visual colony examination is important identifying marker concerning color, texture, diffusible pigments, exudates, macroscopic structures, growth rates and colony topography. In addition to the overall appearance of the colony, final identification should be made by microscopic examination. Microscopic features provide by the asexual/sexual spores, cells per spore, color of spores, spore formation and fragmentation of hyphae. Biochemical tests are not as important as markers for identifying filamentous fungi as they are for yeasts and dermatophytes.