An overview of pulmonary fungal infections.
An overview of important pulmonary mycoses is presented. Four endemic mycoses occur in restricted geographic areas: histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and paracoccidioidomycosis. Three opportunistic mycoses have causative agents that are ubiquitous in nature but cause infection only in compromised hosts: aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and candidiasis. Cryptococcosis is acquired by inhalation but usually presents as a chronic meningitis. Pulmonary sporotrichosis is rare; the usual subcutaneous form of the disease is acquired by inoculation. The clinical features of these infections are discussed, with special emphasis on recent advances in diagnosis and treatment.
Davies
S F
SF
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis.
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000935:Antifungal Agents