A male researcher wanting to determine the pathogenesis of a certain fungus that often attacks women did the following experiment on himself. He taped a piece of gauze heavily inoculated with the fungus to the inside of his thigh and left it there for several days, periodically moistening it with sterile saline. After a time, he experienced a severe skin reaction that resembled a burn and the skin peeled off.
a. Suggest a species of fungus that can cause this effect.
b. What does this experiment tell you about the factors in pathogenesis related to portal of entry and gender?