mycet

Mycet is a combining form used in biology and medicine to denote a relationship to fungi. It derives from the Greek word mykēs (fungus) and is related to the more widely used prefix myco-. In contemporary scientific vocabulary, myco- is more common for most fungal terms, whereas mycet- appears in a number of established names and older terms.

Examples of terms using mycet- include mycetology, the study of fungi; mycetoma, a chronic granulomatous infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that may be fungal (eumycetoma) or bacterial (actinomycetoma); mycetism, mushroom poisoning; and mycetophilous, describing organisms that are attracted to or feed on fungi.

Mycetoma presents with localized swelling, nodules, and draining sinuses containing grains or granules; it is a neglected tropical disease in many regions. Treatment depends on the etiologic agent and may involve antifungal or antibacterial therapy, sometimes combined with surgical management.

Because mycet- is primarily a historical and specialized form, most current literature uses myco- for fungi, with mycet- retained in traditional terms and proper names.

See also: mycology; fungi; mycologist.