The mycology working group focuses on laboratory-based surveillance for fungal diseases of public health importance in South Africa. These include cryptococcal meningitis, candidaemia and infections caused by Aspergillus and thermally-dimorphic fungi. In collaboration with the Department of Health and other partners, the group is also leading efforts to implement and evaluate a laboratory-based reflex cryptococcal antigen screening programme across South Africa – this programme aims to prevent deaths associated with cryptococcal meningitis. Development of South African and international clinical guidelines for management of fungal infections is an important activity. A specialised mycology reference service is provided to diagnostic medical laboratories – including phenotypic and sequence-based identification of unusual or difficult-to-identify fungi and antifungal susceptibility testing. Research activities are focused on developing and validating new diagnostic assays and defining risk factors for fungal diseases and antifungal drug resistance. The reference laboratory also holds a large collection of pathogenic fungi of medical importance.