What is a deep fungal infection?

In contrast to the superficial dermatophytes, which are typically confined to dead keratinous tissue, certain mycotic infections have the capacity for deep invasion of the skin or production of skin lesions secondary to systemic visceral infection. They are typically acquired through direct inoculation, ingestion, and/or inhalation of spores from soil or matter. In this chapter, the deep fungal diseases are organized into three categories based on clinical presentation (Table 32-1).

Table 32-1. The Deep Fungal Infections
	SUBCUTANEOUS FUNGAL INFECTIONS		SYSTEMIC OR RESPIRATORY FUNGAL INFECTIONS		OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGAL INFECTIONS
	Sporotrichosis Phaeohyphomycosis Chromomycosis (chromoblastomycosis) Mycetoma (Madura foot) Lobomycosis Rhinosporidiosis Zygomycosis		Blastomycosis Histoplasmosis Coccidioidomycosis Paracoccidioidomycosis		Cryptococcosis Aspergillosis Fusariosis Mucormycosis Penicilliosis