title: Parasitic adaptation of pathogenic fungi to mammalian hosts.
abstract: Pathogenic fungi involved in medical and veterinary mycology can be classified in three different groups according to their level of adaptation to parasitism. Only a few species belonging to dermatophytes can be considered genuine parasites as opposed to molds or fungi involved in systemic mycoses. Ecological, ethological, biochemical, and immunological factors can play a role in preadaptation or adaptation to parasitic life and are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D005658:Fungi / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000382:microbiology*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000662:veterinary