infectious diseases
Overview of Fungal Infections
Primary fungal infections
Primary fungal infections usually result from inhalation of fungal spores, which can cause a localized pneumonia as the primary manifestation of infection. In immunocompetent patients, systemic mycoses typically have a chronic course; dissemination is rare, and, if lung lesions develop, they usually progress slowly. Months may elapse before medical attention is sought or a diagnosis is made. Symptoms are rarely intense in such chronic mycoses, but fever, chills, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss, malaise, and depression may occur. Various organs may be infected, causing symptoms and dysfunction. Primary fungal infections may have a characteristic geographic distribution, which is especially true for the endemic mycoses caused by certain dimorphic fungi. For example, Coccidioidomycosis : Confined primarily, in the United States, to the southwestern region and Washington state and also to northern Mexico, and Central and South America Histoplasmosis : Occurring primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States and parts of Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia Blastomycosis : Confined to North America and Africa Paracoccidioidomycosis : Confined to South America However, the latency from transmission to infection varies, and symptoms may develop after travelers have returned from endemic areas. When fungi disseminate from a primary focus in the lung, the manifestations may be characteristic, as for the following: Cryptococcosis : Usually, chronic meningitis Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis: Generalized involvement of the reticuloendothelial system (liver, spleen, bone marrow) Blastomycosis: Single or multiple skin lesions or involvement of the central nervous system, bone, or prostate Coccidioidomycosis: Bone and joint infections, skin lesions, and meningitis 