Fungal infection of the gut, SEM

Fungal infection of the gut. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of fungal hyphae in the gut. Red blood cells are also present. Fungal infections are one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The incidence of invasive fungal infections, including those of the gastrointestinal tract, has increased significantly as numbers of immunocompromised patients have increased. The diagnosis of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients may be particularly problematic as these patients may present with atypical clinical features. Although Candida and Aspergillus species represent the majority of fungi diagnosed in the immunocompromised patient population, other fungi are emerging as increasingly common pathogens. Magnification: x3000 when printed 10 centimetres wide., by STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY