Fungal Infections Flashcards
What is the burden of fungal infections from a global perspective?
1.5 billion fungal infections of humans
> 3 million life threatening infections/yr
>50% mortality
What are the 3 fungal organisms causing the majority of invasive fungal infections in thenUK/Europe?
Aspergillus species
Candida species
Crypto occurs species
What is the concept of invasive fungal infections classified as opportunistic infections?
An infection caused by pathogens that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available such as a host with a weakened immune system, altered microbiota or breached barriers
What patient groups are affected by invasive fungal infections?
They affect patients with an impaired immune system eg immunodeficiency, HIV/AIDS, malignancies, premature neonates, patients with chronic lung diseases, and patients in ICU settings
What are the 3 classes of antifungals available for treatment of invasive fungal infections?
Amphotericin B is a broad acting
Azoles = invasive aspergillosis Echinocandins = invasive candidiasis Flucytosine = cryptococcal meningitis
What are the forms of candidiasis?
Mucocutaneous
- associated with antibiotic use, affects moist areas and neonates <3m
Invasive
- mostly endogenous origin, diagnosed by blood culture or culture from normally sterile site
What is aspergillosis?
Transmits via spores, can be acute invasive (febrile neutropenia), chronic pulmonary (pulmonary exacerbation, lung function decline), or allergic
Do not respond to antibiotics
Fungal mass which usually grows in lung cavities
What is cryptococcosis?
Inhalation transmission, pulmonary infection from asymptomatic to pneumonia, if disseminates to brain: headache, confusion, altered behaviour, visual disturbance, coma
How do you investigate fungal disease?
CSF fluid, culture
Blood culture
Sputum culture
CT chest
