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Oral candidosis Infections in the Immunocompromised Host
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Fungal infections in immunocompromised host are common and are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. These are either endemic- caused by ubiquitous fungi such as: Histoplasma capsulatum and Mucor spps or opportunistic fungi such as: Candida species, Aspergillus species, pneumocystic jirovecii and Cyptococcus neoformans. Opportunistic fungal infections are the most common fungal infections seen in immunocompromised and are attributed to decline in CD4+ T cell counts, neutrophil counts and general immunity. They are seen in HIV patients, those who have undergone extensive surgery, patients with haematological disorders, and those who have corticosteroids, cytotoxic or suppressive chemotherapy. As a result, infections such as: candidiasis, cryptococcosis, pneumocystis pneumonia and aspergillosis are disseminated in these hosts.
Candidiasis is commonly caused by Candida albicans- a normal oral flora in the genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract and on the skin. It forms bio-films on any surface, and cause mucosal and systemic infections in immunocompromised hosts disseminated as: oral thrush, vulvovaginitis, and endocarditis, among others. Although Candida albicans remains the major cause of nosocomial infections, other non albicans candida species such as: Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis are increasingly becoming common. According to Pfaller et al., 2007, Candida glabrata was the second most cause of invasive infections in the USA while the ARTEMIS Global Antifungal Surveillance Program revealed that Candida albicans caused the most fungal infections in the world followed by Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis respectively. The major predisposing factor...
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.... However aspergillosis-related infections namely: endophthalmitis, endocarditis, and abscesses in the myocardium, kidney, liver, spleen, soft tissue, and bone in may occur. (Reference). These infections could rapidly progress in severely immunosuppressed hosts such as: leukaemia patients, those receiving corticosteroids or cytotoxic therapy and those who have recently undergone bone marrow transplantation or patients with advanced AIDS or chronic granulomatous disease. As a result, fever, invasion of blood vessels that results into multifocal infiltrates and spread to the central nervous system, may occur [76]. The fungus evades the host's immune system to cause disease through expression of multiple gene products such as: cell wall assembly, conidial germination, hyphal elongation and growth, resistance to oxidative stress and nutrient acquisition among others.
Addie acquired Stenotrophomonas bacterial infection in the hospital. She acquired it from the tubes of the lung bypass machine ECMO which doctors used to try and support her respiration after her
Toenail fungus is an infection that affects millions of people all over the world and eight percent of adults in the United States. It is a contagious problem that may spread to your fingernails, causing embarrassment, and could have a significant effect on your social life. There are several different types of toenail fungus, but onychomycosis is the most common.
My disease is Streptococcal pneumonia or pneumonia is caused by the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Streptococcus pneumoniae is present in human’s normal flora, which normally doesn’t cause any problems or diseases. Sometimes though when the numbers get too low it can cause diseases or upper respiratory tract problems or infections (Todar, 2008-2012). Pneumonia caused by this pathogen has four stages. The first one is where the lungs fill with fluid. The second stage causes neutrophils and red blood cells to come to the area which are attracted by the pathogen. The third stage has the neutrophils stuffed into the alveoli in the lungs causing little bacteria to be left over. The fourth stage of this disease the remaining residue in the lungs are take out by the macrophages. Aside from these steps pneumonia follows, if the disease should persist further, it can get into the blood causing a systemic reaction resulting in the whole body being affected (Ballough). Some signs and symptoms of this disease are, “fever, malaise, cough, pleuritic chest pain, purulent or blood-tinged sputum” (Henry, 2013). Streptococcal pneumonia is spread through person-to-person contact through aerosol droplets affecting the respiratory tract causing it to get into the human body (Henry, 2013).
This more severe form usually prevails in elderly, cigarette smokers, people with chronic lung disease, or those who are immunocompromised, such as cancer or AIDS patients. Virulence:.. Being a gram-negative bacterium, L. pneumophila has lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that act as endotoxin within a human host. The presence of a flagella is thought to mediate adherence to human lung cells, thereby causing infection, since flagella-less strains do not cause disease. Once attached to human cells, the organism is engulfed by a macrophage that utilizes the internal environment to multiply.
This condition may be caused by a bacterial infection or infection with a parasite called an amoeba (Entamoeba histolytica). In rare cases, it can also be caused by infection with a fungus called Candida.
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 49(3), 438-443. Doi:10.1086/600391. See full address and map. Medicare.gov/Hospital Compare - The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare (n.d).
Every human has microbiomes that are personalized for the individual and are extremely important to maintaining a good health standing, however, these microbiomes can be capable of contracting a disease. One of the most common areas for these microbiomes to contract something that could be harmful to the person’s health is called the oral microbiomes, which are found in the mouths of humans. Within the biofilms of the oral cavity, rests these oral microbiomes that maintain a healthy equilibrium in the mouth. However, if not taken care of properly, oral microbiomes can be taken over by a pathogen that can quickly turn the state of the person’s mouth from a healthy equilibrium to a very unhealthy equilibrium (1). Some bacteria found in the oral cavity can be an extremely danger.
"Bloodborne Pathogens : MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.
It kills bacteria by competing with it for food, The bacteria around the fungus are destroyed as penicillin is released. The penicillin kills the mold by stopping its cell walls from forming. This results in the cells bursting and dying (Ward, 50-51). During World War II, penicillin was used in place of surgery due to the lack of doctors. The drug obviated the need for many amputations because it could neutralize the bacteria that caused dead tissue responsible for limb removals (Conniff, 2013). A letter sent home from a soldier, Murphy, demonstrates an example of this. “At first they thought they would have the take his leg off… it was long before they really could treat him… But they started treating him with the new ‘wonder drug’ penicillin and it brought him around ok” (Higginbotham, 2001). In addition to eliminating amputations, penicillin made infections less painful to handle. Surgeons commonly treated wounds by draining them and leaving them open to heal. Infections were common and often deadly, recovery wound take months. However, after the distribution of penicillin, surgeons simply drained the wound, sprinkled penicillin powder, and stitched the wound close (Conniff, 2013). Thousands of soldiers who escaped death or amputation owed their well-being to the mass production of
Hospital acquired infections are one of the most common complications of care in the hospital setting. Hospital acquired infections are infections that patients acquired during the stay in the hospital. These infections can cause an increase in the number of days the patients stay in the hospital. Hospital acquired infections make the patients worse or even cause death. “In the USA alone, hospital acquired infections cause about 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths per year”(secondary).
In this research paper I will discuss, some diseases of pathogenic fungi and the causative agent, mode of transmission, clinical symptoms and two priority nursing interventions for pseudomonas dermatitis, acne, and otitis externa.
8. Leroy, P, Smismans, A, and Seute, T (2006). Invasive pulmonary and central nervous system aspergillosis after near-drowning of a child: case report and review of literature. Pediatrics;118(2):509-513.
MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS: Empyema, Hemoptysis, Necrotizing pneumonia, Aspergillosis (Aspergillus fumigatus) cachexia secondary to malnutrition/infection, hypothyroidism, Diabetes Type II melitius , and...
Fungal or mycobacterial infections are believed to occur when the lung cells (macrophages) that fight these infections are overwhelmed with silica dust and are unable to kill mycobacteria and other organisms [Allison and Hart 1968; Ng and Chan 1991]. About half of the mycobacterial infections are caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), with the other half caused by M. kansasii and M. avium-intracellulare [Owens et al. 1988]. The. Nocardia and Cryptococcus may also cause infections in silicosis victims [Ziskind et al.]. 1976].
Thrush is usually caused by the overgrowth of a yeast called Candida albicans. This yeast is normally present in small amounts in a person’s mouth. It usually causes no harm. However, in a newborn or infant, the body’s defense system (immune system) has not yet developed the ability to control the growth of this yeast. Because of this, thrush is common during the