Fungal and Immunocompromised Pneumonia Flashcards
What are the types of fungal infections?
- superficial and cutaneous mycoses
- subcutaneous (skin, lymphatics, subQ tissue)
- Endemic mycoses
- Oppoertunistic mycosis
What causes endemic mycoses?
dimorphic fungi
Notes about dimorphic fungi
- most common etiologic agents of pulmonary infection by fungi
- infection results from inhalation of spores that mold forms in soil
What does ‘dimorphic’ mean?
-grow as yeast in human tissue and as mold at room temp
What happens with spores of dimorphic fungi are inhaled?
they differentiate into yeasts or spherules. Most are self-limited but all can cause pneumonia and disseminate
What are some dimorphic fungi?
- Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Histoplasma capsulatum
- Coccidioides immitis
- Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Where is Histoplasma capsulatum endemic?
Mississippi and Ohio River
Where does Histoplasma capsulatum grow?
soil and bird droppings
How does Histoplasma capsulatum infection present?
- mostly asymptomatic pulmonary infection
- but can have fever, chills, cough, chest pain
In AIDS, Histoplasma capsulatum can disseminate. What organs are typically affected?
- BM (pancytopenia)
- Mouth/Gi (ulcers)
- Skin (rash, nodules)
Tissue biopsy of positive Histoplasma capsulatum will show what?
oval yeast cells within macrophages
How else can Histoplasma capsulatum be diagnosed?
- serology
- Urinary antigen (good for AIDS patients)
How does Histoplasma capsulatum show on CXR?
- infiltrates
- mediastinal LAD
- cavitary lesions
What are two possible skin manifestations of Histoplasma capsulatum infection?
- skin rashes
- erythema nodosum
Note about skin rashes in Histoplasma capsulatum
seen in disseminated Histo (rash is rare, but common in AIDS/immunocompromised)
What is erythema nodosum?
tender nodules that present on extensor surfaces (tibia and ulna skin). Result from delayed hypersensitivity response to fungal antigen and is an indicatory of poor prognosis (not specific to histo but also seen in coccidioides and TB)
Aka desert bumps
Where is Blastomyces dermatitidis endemic?
Ohio/Mississippi River Valley, Missouri, and Arkansas River basins (grows in moist soil)
How does Blastomyces dermatitidis present?
asymptomatic respiratory illness, 50% will have cough, chest pain, sputum, fever/night sweats
most resolve spontaneously
Disseminated Blastomyces dermatitidis results in what?
ulcerated granulomatous lesions of the skin (70%), bone (33%), GI tract (25%), and CNS (10%). Seen in both immunocompetent and compromised patients
What does tissue biopsy of Blastomyces dermatitidis show?
thick-walled yeast cells with single broad-based bud
How is Blastomyces dermatitidis diagnosed?
- CXR (lobar consolidation)
- tissue biopsy
- serology
How is Histoplasma capsulate treated?
Ampho B for severe and Itra otherwise
How is Blastomyces dermatitidis treated?
Ampho B for severe and Itra otherwise
Where is Coccidioides immitis endemic?
Southwest and Latin America
Describe the pathogenesis of Coccidioides immitis
In the lungs, large spherules form and filled with endospores. Upon rupture, endospores are released and differentiate into new spherules
How does Coccidioides immitis present?
- mild flu-like illness with fever and cough (‘valley fever’) in 10%
- erythema nodosum
How common is dissemination in Coccidioides immitis?
1% (to bone, meninges, and skin)
What ethnicities are at increased risk for dissemination of Coccidioides immitis?
-AA, Filipinos, and women in 3rd trimester