• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2018

Dimorphic fungi are characterized by the production of mycelia in the environment or when incubated at lower temperatures ($25{\sim}30^{\circ}C$) on media. The conversion to yeast occurs when invading a human body or when incubated at elevated temperatures ($35{\sim}37^{\circ}C$). Dimorphic fungi cause systemic infection and occur only in endemic regions; they can cause deep mycosis, which invades tissues and organs. Imported thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen has five genera, such as Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Thus far, 30 cases of dimorphic fungi have been reported in Korea, including C. immitis in 18, H. capsulatum in 5, B. dermatitidis in 3, and T. marneffei in 4 cases. Three 3 cases of C. immitis, 2 cases of H. capsulatum, 1 case of B. dermatitidis, and 1 case of Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei were reported in Korea, even though no experience of an epidemic was present. None the dimorphic fungi except for Sporothrix schenkii (Dimorphic fungi) occur in Korea but are caused by endemic fungi that can be found only in specific regions and limited areas of foreign countries. Considering the trends of migratory locals and the increasing number of immigrants living in and returning home, the incidence of imported infections is expected to increase.