Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that do not contain chlorophyll, but have cell walls, filamentous structures, and produce spores. These organisms grow as saprophytes and decompose dead organic matter. There are between 100,000 to 200,000 species depending on how they are classified. About 300 species are presently known to be pathogenic for man¹. There are four types of mycotic diseases:

1. Hypersensitivity - an allergic reaction to molds and spores.
2. Mycotoxicoses - poisoning of man and animals by feeds and food products contaminated by fungi which produce toxins from the grain substrate.
3. Mycetismus- the ingestion of preformed toxin (mushroom poisoning).
4. Infection

Most people are familiar with Penicillin derived from the Penicillium fungi for use as antibiotics. They are historically significant because they are the first drugs that were effective against many previously serious diseases such as syphilis and Staphylococcus infections. Penicillins are still widely used today, though many types of bacteria are now resistant. However, in combating mycotic diseases the reverse has not become evident; using bacteriums to eradicate fungal ailments. Unlike bacteria, both fungi and humans are eukaryotes. Thus fungal and human cells are similar at the molecular level. This makes it more difficult to find or design drugs that target fungi without affecting human cells. As a consequence, many antifungal drugs cause side-effects. Some of these side-effects can be life-threatening if the drugs are not used properly². In the United States, only 10 antifungal drugs are currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the therapy of systemic fungal infections. The drugs belong to 3 principal classes: polyenes, pyrimidines, and azoles. The willingness to pay for high cost systemic antifungal drugs, and the diminshed perceived threat of mycotic diseases, force many to neglect treatment to an irreversible stage³. 

With global climate changes, we've seen an explosion in fungal growth and their effects in reptilian mutation and death, honey bee deaths world wide, spread of 'valley fever', decimating peanut crops and basil farms. Now more than ever we need to take a closer look at the field of mycology and develop new advanced techniques for their study, use and risks.

1 Introduction to Antifungal Drugs, William E. Dismukes, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicillin
3 VON BREMEN K, WASSERFALLEN JB; Annu Meet Int Soc Technol Assess Health Care. 2001; 17: abstract no. 265., University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland