Collierhonore7908

Blastomycosis is the fungal disease caused by thermally dimorphic fungi in the genus Blastomyces, with B dermatitidis complex causing most cases. It is considered hyperendemic in areas adjacent to the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers, but definitive geographic distribution of blastomycoses remains obscure. Clinical presentation is variable. Disseminated blastomycosis with extrapulmonary manifestations is more common in immunosuppressed individuals. Culture positivity is required for definitive diagnosis, but compatible histology is often sufficient for presumptive diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Treatment should be provided to all symptomatic cases to prevent progression or recurrence.Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection of global significance caused by yeasts of the genus Cryptococcus. The prevalence of HIV in certain areas of the world and the expanding population of immunocompromised patients contribute to the ongoing global disease burden. Point-of-care serologic testing has allowed for more rapid diagnosis and implementation of screening programs in resource-limited settings. MEK inhibitor Management involves therapy aimed at reduction in fungal burden, maintenance of intracranial pressure, and optimization of host immunity. Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, cryptococcosis continues to be a disease with unacceptably high incidence and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings.Histoplasmosis is one of the commonest endemic mycoses in the Americas yet is often underdiagnosed and neglected as a public health priority. This review outlines the evolving understanding of its epidemiology and the clinical syndromes of histoplasmosis, in addition to up-to-date diagnostic and treatment guidelines. A focus on histoplasmosis in advanced HIV is included. The challenges pertinent to histoplasmosis management in Latin America, with recommendations made through international expert consensus are discussed.Coccidioidomycosis, caused by the dimorphic pathogenic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadassi, is endemic to the southwestern United states and Central and South America. The incidence of coccidioidomycosis continues to increase. Coccidioidomycosis is typically a self-limiting influenza-like respiratory illness; however, it can lead to disseminated disease outside of the lungs. Not all nondisseminated cases require therapy, but antifungal therapy is typically beneficial requiring treatment ranging from months to lifelong. Clinical factors related to treatment decisions include severity of symptoms, radiography, coccidioidomycosis serologic results, and concurrent medical problems including immunosuppression. This review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment options.Mucormycosis is a rare but aggressive fungal disease that mainly affects patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and those who are severely immunocompromised, including patients with hematological malignancies and solid organ transplant recipients. Early recognition of infection is critical for treatment success, followed by prompt initiation of antifungal therapy with lipid formulation amphotericin B. Posaconazole and isavuconazole should be used for stepdown and salvage therapy. Surgical debridement is key for tissue diagnosis and treatment and should be pursued urgently whenever possible. In addition to surgery and antifungal therapy, reverting the underlying risk factor for infection is important for treatment response.The spectrum of disease produced by Aspergillus species ranges from allergic syndromes to chronic pulmonary conditions and invasive infections. Invasive aspergillosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Risk factors continue to evolve and include newer biological agents that target the immune system and postinfluenza infection; and it has been observed following COVID-19 infection. Diagnosis remains a challenge but non-culture-based methods are available. Antifungal resistance has emerged. Voriconazole remains the treatment of choice but isavuconazole and posaconazole have similar efficacy with less toxicity. Combination therapy is used with extensive infection and in severe immunosuppression.Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a collective term that refers to a group of infectious syndromes caused by a variety of species of Candida, 6 of which cause most cases globally. Candidemia is probably the most commonly recognized syndrome associated with IC; however, Candida can cause invasive infection of any organ, especially visceral organs, vasculature, bones and joints, the eyes and central nervous system. Targeted prevention and empirical therapy are important interventions for patients at high risk for IC, and the current approach should be based on a combination of clinical risk factors and non-culture-based diagnostics, when available.Complex processes mediate immunity to fungal infections. Responses vary depending on the organism, morphogenic state, and infection site. Innate immune effectors such as epithelia, phagocytes, and soluble molecules detect pathogens, kill fungi, release cytokines, and prime the adaptive response. Adaptive responses to mucocutaneous or invasive disease are markedly different but intersect at certain pathways (molecules required for IL-23 and IL-12 signaling). Many of these pathways have been elucidated from the study of inborn errors of immunity. This review explores the general aspects of antifungal immunity and delves into the mechanisms that mediate protection from frequently encountered fungi.Over the past 15 years, there has been an increase in the development and utilization of newer antifungal agents. The ideal antifungal, however, in regard to spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, development of resistance, safety, and drug interaction profile remains elusive. This article reviews pharmacologic aspects of Food and Drug Administration-approved polyenes, flucytosine, azoles, and echinocandins as well as promising pipeline antifungal agents. Unique properties of these newer agents are highlighted. The clinical role of established and investigational antifungal agents as treatment and/or prevention of invasive fungal infections is discussed.