The mycobiome refers to the entirety of fungi that live on and within an organism. Together with bacteria, they colonize human tissue. An imbalance (dysbiosis) or colonization with pathogenic species (often Candida) can lead to diseases of various organs.
Dermatomycoses: Skin infections caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds. Dermatophyte infections affect around 20-25% of the global population. Trichophyton rubrum is responsible for a large number of fungal infections (e.g. tinea pedis – foot fungus, onychomycosis - nail fungus). Other important representatives of the skin mycobiome are Malassezia, Candida and Cladosporium. Changes in the skin mycobiome (especially Malassezia and Candida) are associated with atopic dermatitis. Chronic wounds are often colonized by gastrointestinal or respiratory microbiota. Cladosporium herbarum and Candida albicans are frequently found in poorly healing wounds; C. albicans in particular causes inflammation and prolonged regeneration times.
Vaginal/endometrial: The best-known representative of the vaginal mycobiome is the genus Candida. Candida albicans can colonize 20% of women without symptoms, but often causes infectious vaginitis. The lactobacilli are crucial in preventing Candida colonization and thus reduce the risk of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Other important potentially harmful fungi are the Saccharomycetales, Davidiellaceae and the genus Cladosporium. Some species, such as Candida parapsilosis, have a protective effect and have a beneficial impact on intrauterine adhesions (IUA), which are associated with abortions, amenorrhea and infertility. Probiotic yeasts (Saccharomyces boulardii) support the balance of vaginal microflora. Beta-glucans, which are found in the cell walls of many fungi, have an immunomodulatory effect.
Intestinal: In healthy people, the most common intestinal fungi are Candida, Saccharomyces, Malassezia and Cladosporium. Disorders (dysbiosis) in the mycobiome can be associated with the pathogenesis of pancreatic diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and colon cancer. An increased amount of Malassezia restricta is associated with Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
An extended analysis of "microbiome (bacteria) and mycobiome (fungi)" can provide important additional information for the treatment of dysbiosis in the skin, vaginal, and wound microbiomes.
