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Query: UMLS:C0032285 (pneumonia)
 54,520 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Coccidioidomycosis ("valley fever") is caused by inhaling spores of the soil-dwelling fungi Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. Most infections are subclinical. When clinical manifestations do occur (typically 1-4 weeks after exposure), they are similar to those associated with influenza or community-acquired pneumonia. Disseminated disease is rare. Residual pulmonary nodules can lead to chronic lung disease. Fluconazole or other triazoles often are used for treatment, but mild cases often resolve without specific therapy. A total of 17,802 cases were reported in the United States in 2012.
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PMID:Coccidioides immitis identified in soil outside of its known range - Washington, 2013. 2484 17

Cryptococcosis is one of the most important fungal infections of humans. It primarily, but not exclusively, afflicts people with compromised immune function. Cryptococcosis is most commonly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii with C. neoformans var. neoformans and C. gatti also contributing to the disease. Cryptococcosis is primarily manifested as meningoencephalitis although pneumonia occurs frequently as well. Globally, the burden of disease is highest among those living with HIV/AIDS and is one of the most common causes of death in this patient population. Cryptococcal meningitisis almost invariably fatal if untreated. The current gold standard therapy is amphotericin B combined with 5-flucytosine. Unfortunately, this therapy has significant toxicity and is not widely available in resource-limited regions. Fluconazole, which is associated with poorer outcomes, is frequently as an alternative. Here, I present the characteristics of an ideal anti-cryptococcal agent and review recent progress toward identifying both novel and repurposed drugs as potential new therapies.
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PMID:Toward improved anti-cryptococcal drugs: Novel molecules and repurposed drugs. 2551 36

A 65 year old female, known asthmatic on steroids intermittently, with no other co-morbidity presented with fever, breathlessness and cough with mucoid expectoration of ten days duration with bilateral crepts, went for Type II respiratory failure and was intubated followed by tracheostomy in view of prolonged ventilator support. In spite of high end antibiotics as per sputum culture sensitivity, weaning off the ventilator was not possible. Blood investigations revealed leucocytosis with neutrophilic predominance and IgE levels were within normal limits. CT chest showed multiple patchy consolidations of the right upper, middle and lower lobes with ground glass appearance and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Work up for retrovirus, tuberculosis and Sputum for KOH mount was negative. No evidence of sputum and blood eosinophilia. BAL sample grew Curvularia species. Fluconazole 150mg OD was added. Serial imaging of the chest showed resolution of the consolidation and was weaned off the ventilator and was comfortable on room air. Pneumonia caused by Curvularia, in an immune competent patient is very rare. Even in broncho pulmonary involvement these fungi usually occur in allergic conditions as in ABPA than appearing as a solitary cause for lung infection. But if diagnosed and treated early, will respond well to triazoles. This case report highlights a unilateral fungal pneumonia with dramatic clinical improvement post treatment once the rare causative organism was identified.
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PMID:An unusual cause of fungal pneumonia. 2601 53

Blastoschizomyces capitatus is an uncommon opportunistic yeast associated with infections in neutropaenic patients secondary to haematological malignancies, with a special predilection for the lungs. Globalisation and population migration impact on the epidemiology of infection with this organism but its effect on the immunocompetent population has rarely been described. We present here a case report, an overview of 11 other cases published between 2000 and 2016, and a comprehensive literature review of Blastoschizomyces pneumonia in the non-immunocompromised. The median age at diagnosis was 68 years (range 40-86 years) and more than half the cases reported a positive history of either current or past tobacco smoking. Six cases had either clinical or radiological evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and three had a history of prior treated tuberculosis. Fluconazole and itraconazole, alone or in combination, was the most utilised treatment. We conclude that unlike most other invasive yeast species, B. capitatus poses an infectious risk for immunocompetent patients, usually of middle to older age with risk factors for distorted lung architecture. Further research is warranted into the pathophysiology of Blastoschizomyces infections in the immunocompetent, including standardised treatment options.
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PMID:Blastoschizomyces capitatus pulmonary infections in immunocompetent patients: case report, case series and literature review. 2919 3


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