The differentiation of hyphae in human tissues
Gary W. Procop#
The American Board of Pathology and Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, U.S.A.
Abstract
A variety of morphologic structures may be microscopically visualized in the tissues of patients with fungal infections. The differentiation of hyphal elements does not have the same discriminatory power as culture; however, the appropriate categorization aids in establishing the definitive diagnosis and may guide therapy. Although the hyphal forms from the most frequently encountered infections are commonly seen, variants of normal forms, those from infrequently encountered infections, morphologic mimics, and specimen contaminants may also be encountered. Microscopists, be they mycologists reviewing direct examinations or pathologists reviewing histologic or cytologic preparations, should attempt to distinguish between the types of hyphae covered within this review.
Open Access
Cite this article:
Procop GW, 2025. The differentiation of hyphae in human tissues. One Health Mycology 2(1), 3-10
ISSN: 3050-4627
doi.org/10.63049/OHM.25.21.1
Keywords:
Invasive hyphae; human infection; filamentous fungi
Article highlights:
- The characterization of filamentous in human tissue for an accurate diagnosis.
- Some deviating types of presentation are shown.
#Correspondence: gprocop@abpath.org
Article info:
Received 12 January 2025
Revised 22 January 2025
Accepted 23 January 2025
Appeared online 31 January 2025
One Health Mycology 2(1): 3−10, 2025