07. Fungus: fungus (dermatophyten)
Electron microscopy

This fungus is the cause of athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and scalp ringworm (tinea capitus). Both of these contagious skin infections are spread by the fungus's spores (orange). Also seen here are the fungus' thread-like hyphae structures (green). T. mentagrophytes is one of many species of fungi that can grow in human skin, causing inflammation and itching. Athlete's foot and ringworm are treated with antifungal drugs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph, Magnification x4,300.