Fungal diseases

What does blastomyces cause

Blastomycosis

Where is blastomycosis found

Southeastern United States in Great Lakes and Mississippi rivers

How is blastomycosis transmitted

Inhalation of dust that carries fungal spores into lungs; fungi found in soils rich in organic matter

What are symptoms of blastomycosis

Fever, cough, night sweats, muscle pain, chest pain, fatigue

How is blastomycosis diagnosed

Culture and isolation samples, microscopy, and PCR

How is blastomycosis treated

Amphotericin B and azole

What does coccidioides cause

Coccidioidomycosis

What is coccidioidomycosis also known as

Valley fever

Where is coccidioidomycosis found

Southwester United States

What kind of soil is coccidioidomycosis in

Desert soil, rodent burrows, archeological remains, and mines

How is coccidioidomycosis transmitted

Inhalation of dust that can carry the spores into the lungs

What are symptoms of coccidioidomycosis

Fatigue, cough, dyspnea, headache, night sweats, myalgias, and rash

How is coccidioidomycosis diagnosed

Microscopy (to identify spherules), mycelial forms in culture, serological tests, and PCR test

How is coccidioidomycosis treated

Amphotericin B or azole

What is caused by histoplasma

Histoplasmosis

What is the most common fungal pathogen that affects humans

Histoplasmosis

Where is histoplasmosis found

Eastern United States and Africa and Asia

What kind of soil is histoplasma found in

Moist soils containing high levels of nitrogen from bat and bird droppings

How is histoplasmosis transmitted

Inhalation often after disturbance of contaminated material (cave exploring, cleaning chicken coops)

What are symptoms of histoplasmosis

Influenza-like illness, includes fever, malaise, cough, headache, chest pain, chills, and myalgias

How is histoplasmosis diagnosed

Microscopy, culture, serology/PCR

How is histoplasmosis treated

Amphotericin B or azole

What does paracoccidioides cause

Paracoccidioidomycosis

Where is paracoccidioidomycosis found

Southern Mexico and regions of South America

How is paracoccidioidomycosis transmitted

Inhalation of fungal spores from environment

What are symptoms of paracoccidioidomycosis

Chronica inflammatory disease of mucous membranes, mouth and nose lesions

What are the four systemic fungal pathogens

Blastomycoses, coccidioides, histoplasma, and paracoccidioides

What are characteristics of the four systemic fungal pathogens

All are dimorphic, yeast in body and mold in environment, and begin as a generalized pulmonary infection

What are the 5 opportunistic infections genera

Aspergillus, candida, cryptococcus, pneumocystis, and mucor

What does aspergillus cause

Aspergillosis

How is aspergillosis transmitted

From inhalation of fungal spores

What are symptoms of aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts

Invasive pulmonary infection, fever, cough, chest pain; infection can affect other organs like brain, skin, and bone

What are symptoms of aspergillosis in immunocompetent hosts

Localized pulmonary infection

How is aspergillosis diagnosed

Microscopy, culture, antigen, PCR

How is aspergillosis treated

Allergy medications for hypersensitivity reactions, amphotericin B, or azole

What does candida caused

Candidiasis

How is candidiasis transmitted

Contact between individuals

What disease does candidiasis cause

Thrush, vaginal candidiasis, and invasive candidiasis

How is candidiasis diagnosed

Microscopy/culture

How is candidiasis treated

Azole

What do dermatophytes cause

Superficial mycoses

How are dermatophytes transmitted

Direct contact with the fungus

What are diseases that can be caused by dermatophytes

Ring worm, athletes foot, jock itch, tinea corporis, tinea capitis

How are dermatophytes treated

Topical antifungal agents

How are dermatophytes diagnosed

Physical exam, KOH preparations, culture