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.
Enterococcus faecalis is a genus of gram positive cocci and form short chains or are arranged in pairs. They are nonmotile, facultative anaerobic organisms and can survive in harsh conditions in nature. There are over 15 species of the Enterococcus genus but about 90% of clinical isolates are E. faecalis. E. faecalis is a nosocomial pathogen because it is commonly found in the hospital environment and can cause life-threatening infections in humans. It is a bacterium that normally inhabits the intestinal tract in humans and animals but when found in other body locations it can cause serious infections. The most common sites for E. faecalis infections are the heart, bloodstream, urinary tract, and skin wounds. Due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, many antibiotics have been shown ineffective in the treatment. In this paper, I will describe the ecology and pathology of E. faecalis; the antibacterial resistance; treatment; and, what you can do to prevent Enterococcus infection.
For medical care, no treatment is needed for those who are asymptomatic, just monitoring for mild symptoms (2). For those who cannot fight the disease as easily as the majority, there are an array of treatments available. To start, blood cultures should be performed in all patients, and sputum cultures should be taken for those with chronic histoplasmosis (2). Chest radiology would be preferred for individuals with acute pulmonary histoplasmosis, steroids and possible laser treatment for ocular histoplasmosis, and CT scans for those with cerebral histoplasmosis (2). With prolonged symptoms of more than 4 weeks, medical therapy via itraconazole is recommended for 6-12 weeks, followed by chest imaging (2). Bronchiectasis caused by the microbe is treated with either a bronchoscopy or surgical removal (3). Phrenological treatments to histoplasmosis include amphorcetericin B, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole (3). Currently, antifungal agents are being developed to offer alternative treatment (3). To successfully survive as a pathogen, the virus must change itself on a micro level to survive changing conditions, macrophages, and other threats to the fungi’s reproduction (4). Being able to go from an environmental mold to an intercellular yeast is extremely useful for a microbe in an ecosystem that fights for control of those it infects (4). These advantages present within histoplasmosis are what keeps it as a cause of respiratory and systemic disease in mammals (4). There are plenty of treatments available to accommodate all forms of histoplasmosis, making it a microbe that is very simple to cure, despite how hard it tries to
... of subjects with periodontitis: Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis colonize the periodontal pockets". Med Mycol. 46 (8): 783–93. doi:10.1080/13693780802060899.PMID 18608938
Plenty of fungal problems exist, including athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and onychomycosis (fungal infection beneath nails). However, many antifungal drugs exist as well, such as Lamisil, which is the most effective. Using the molecule terbinafine hydrochloride, it puts holes in the cell membranes of fungal cells, and can destroy fungi. Despite this, Lamisil has many problems such as harmful side effects, and a high cost, and can therefore be vastly improved. Some of Lamisil’s competitors, such as Tinactin, offer a similar medication for a cheaper price, and other analogs of the drug could prove to be safer and even more effective. For now though, Lamisil, the 87th best selling prescription drug in the world, is the best antifungal medication1.
In addition to its traditional clinical manifestations, GAS can also cause serious invasive disease such as necrotizing fasciitis, colloquially known as the flesh-eating disease. First broadly reported during the Civil War, when it was known as gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis occurs when an individual’s subcutaneous fat and superficial fascia become rapidly necrotic. Though incidence data is limited, one study estimated that, worldwide, there are approximately 660,000 cases of invasive GAS disease per year, with 97% of those cases occurring in low-income populations (4). Many microorganisms other than GAS have been linked with necrotizing fasciitis, including Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichica coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the disease is often caused by a polymicrobial infection. However, the most well known causative agent in necrotizing fasciitis cases is usually Group A streptococci (6). Although risk factors for necrotizing fasciitis include diabetes, old age, and immunosuppression, nearly half of all infections occur i...
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms which are either single-celled or multi-cellular organisms, their DNA containing chromosomes are enclosed in a Nucleus inside their cells. Fungi cell structure is very similar to that of the plants however, Fungi do not perform photosynthesis. Fungi is often known to be a nuisance when found within a person’s house, whether on food, the walls or even the floor. People naturally find it disturbing and dirty, however there are good types of Fungi, often referred to as friendly fungi. In 1928 Penicillin, one of the most famous of antibiotic drugs was discovered having derived it from the fungi called Penicillium. This discovery has since has a huge impact on helping people across the globe. However, not all is it seems, there are some nasty fungi that can cause diseases in plants, animals and people. A famous one being Phytophthora infestans. This ...
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.
Occasionally the yeast multiplies uncontrollably, causing pain and inflammation. Candidiasis may affect the skin. This includes the external surface skin and the skin of the vagina, the penis, and the mouth. Candidiasis may also infect the blood stream or internal organs such as the liver or spleen. By far the most common problems are skin, mouth and vaginal infections. It also is a common cause of diaper rash. These can be bothersome
Candida albicans is a harmless commensal yeast which becomes pathogenic when environmental changes trigger the virulence factors of the organism. Hence Candida species are opportunistic pathogens in susceptible individuals. Oral infection caused by C. albicans known as oral candidiasis or candidosis. However, C. albicans exist in the mouths of 80% of healthy individuals. Any alteration in the environment of oral cavity can change the presence of candida from commensal to pathogenic. This translation in the status of candida is due to many predisposing factors. In the past, oral candidiasis was thought to affect mainly elderly and very young population. Recently, the incidence of oral candidiasis increased greatly with the intensification of HIV infection and immunosuppressive chemotherapy (1, 2). Oral candidiasis colonize 5% to 7% of newborn less than one month old. The infection also estimated to affect 9% to 31% of AIDS patients and nearly 20% of cancer patients (3). This review discuss the possible causes, the types of oral candidiasis, treatment and management strategies.
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.
Voss, Andreas. Epidemiology of Systemic Candida Infections: Studies to Pursue the Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology. S.l.: Ponsen & Looijen., 1997. Print.
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.
It is an opportunistic pneumonia fungal infection caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci. While technically a fungal infection, antifungals have shown to be ineffective against it, so the treatment requires antibiotics and short term steroid use in HIV/AIDS patients. The PJP was causing his shortness of breath and cough.
MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS: Empyema, Hemoptysis, Necrotizing pneumonia, Aspergillosis (Aspergillus fumigatus) cachexia secondary to malnutrition/infection, hypothyroidism, Diabetes Type II melitius , and...
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