Fungi
Unlike gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi have a bilayered cell membrane with ergosterols. Antibiotics are not designed to target peptidoglycan synthesis because fungi have no peptidoglycan, but they do target the ergosterol, which is unique to fungi. In addition, fungi are eukaryotes as opposed to bacteria and mycoplasmas which are prokaryotes.
Amphotericin B, nystatin, and ketoconazole are antibiotics that target fungal ergosterol. Amphotericin B and nystatin bind to the ergosterol and punch holes through the membrane, while ketoconazole inhibits ergosterol production.
Areas of fungal infection:
Although your idea of fungi might be the mushrooms on your pizza, fungi can be a source of infectious disease in humans, such as athlete’s foot and diaper rash. Fungal infections can affect a range of areas in humans from the very surface of the skin to vital systems in the body (refer to list below).
Superficial infection - affects skin pigment
Cutaneous infection - affects skin, hair, and nails by secreting keratinase, which digests keratin
Subcutaneous infection - remains in subcutaneous tissue or spreads to lymphatics
Systemic infection - affects internal systems, spores can invade by inhalation
