Fungal/ Parasitic Infections

Dermatophyte

Superficial Infection

• transmitted by direct contact

• 5 types, all start with “tinea”

• treatment: topical antifungals (terbinafine, clotrimazole, miconazole), oral antifungals for severe or nail infections (terbinafine, itraconazole)

Tinea Pedis Fungal Infection

Athletes foot; itching, scaling between toes

Tinea Corporis Fungal Infection

Ringworm; circular rash on skin

Tinea Capitis Fungal Infection

Scalp Infection; hair loss, scaling

Tinea Cruris Fungal Infection

“Jock Itch”; groin infection

Tinea Unguium Fungal Infection

Onychomycosis; fungal infections of nails

Endemic Mycoses

Environmental fungi in specific geographic regions

• inhalation of environmental spores

• Treatment: IV Itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B

Histoplasmosis

endemic mycoses infection

• from bird or bat droppings (the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys)

• most prevalent

Coccidioidomycosis

endemic mycoses infection

• from soil dust in SW America

Blastomycosis

endemic mycoses infection

• from moist soil and decaying organic matter (Great Lakes, Southeast U.S.)

Opportunistic Fungal Infections

Fungi that normally cause little disease but lead to serious infection in immunocompromised patients

Transmits by exposure to environmental spores or overgrowth of normal flora

Candidiasis

#1 most common opportunistic fungal infection

• normal flora overgrowth

• mucosal infection (oral thrush on vagina or mouth, can get into bloodstream if severe)

Treatment

• Nystatin (cream or powder) —> localized, mucocutaneous candida

• Fluconazole (IV or oral) or echinocandins —> invasive candida

Aspergillosis

Opportunistic Fungal Infection

• from soil, dust, decaying plants

• lung infection that may become invasive

Cryptococcosis

opportunistic fungal infection

• from bird droppings

• lung infection that may spread to CNS, causing meningitis

Treatment:

• Fluconazole (IV or Oral)