Fungal & Infectious Diseases

Eukaryotic organisms belonging to Kingdom Fungi, found almost in every ecosystem, out of 1.5 million species only 300 are pathogenic. Fungi include the molds, yeasts, smuts, rusts, mildews and mushrooms. Many of them live freely in soil or water, while some live in plants or animal bodies having parasitic or symbiotic relationships. Pathogenic fungus problems are mainly caused by Aspergillus, Candida, Blastomyces, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma and ringworm species. Immune compromised i.e. organ/stem cell transplant patients, cancer patients, chronically hospitalized patients, or people who use medications that weaken their immune system and people infected with HIV/AIDS people are the main victims of fungal infections, which usually emerge mainly as secondary infection. Aspergillosis caused by fungus Aspergillus spp. which usually infects human and animals with already infected with lung diseases. The blood stream, mouth, throat or vagina can be infected by yeast Candida is called Candidiasis. Blastomycosis is an infection caused by a fungus Blastomyces. The fungus prevails predominantly in humid soil and in putrefying matter such as wood and leaves and can happen to patients who are already having flu like symptoms. People infected with HIV/AIDS can have Cryptococcus infection in the brain (meningitis). The fungus Histoplasma, exists in environment/living places of birds/poultry species and causes Histoplasmosis. Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that often looks like a circular rash. To control these fungal infections and to limit the fungi we need multifaceted approach is required to control starting from monitoring patients at hospitals for detection and decontamination to avoid dissemination to other patients in the facility. For detection various cultural as well as serological procedures can be used in the mouth, esophagus, skin, bowel, urinary tract and vagina etc. for treatment ketoconazole can be administered orally.