Aspergillosis

Method of entry into the human body:        Simple breathing

Areas effected growth or colonization:        Sinuses, lungs, Bones, Muscles, Skin, Eyes, Heart, CNS     

Invasive Aspergillosis:                             

Pulmonary aspergillosis 
(Infection in the Respiratory Tract)

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains a major cause of mortality in diabetics, infants, the elderly,  people undergoing cancer treatments, AIDS patients, the immuno compromised and transplant recipients. It has also become suspect as a cause of "SIDS", Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aspergillus fungi have been documented to colonize previously damaged lung tissue and commonly colonize the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis, emphysema, asthma, smokers and healthy lungs.

New strategies in therapy are being developed for persons receiving Chemotherapy. While new types of Chemotherapy effectively kill the cancer cells they can also harm the lymphatic system and weaken the patients immune system. Aspergillosis in these patients has been documented as a cause of death.

                                                          
CNS aspergillosis
(Central Nervous System Disorders)

The Central Nervous System can be affected, memory loss, bleeding lesions on the brain and brain damage.
                                                          
Sinonasal aspergillosis
(Sinus and Lung Infections)

Ear, nose and throat problems. The Ethmoid sinus was seen to be the  most common sinus to be affected by Aspergillious growth in the body. Headaches, sinus infections, chronic sinus infections, ear infections and pain in the ears has been documented as a result of these infections.
                                                          

Osteomyelitis 
(Infections of the Skeletal System)

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, resulting in joint stiffness and joint pain. It can be caused by a variety of microbial agents including Mold. Certain species of Mold have been suspect to cause bone marrow cancer, other situation known to cause infection include:

• An open injury to the bone, such as an open fracture with the bone ends piercing the skin.
• An infection from elsewhere in the body, such as a urinary tract infection that has spread to the bone through the blood.
• A minor trauma, which can lead to a blood clot around the bone and then a secondary infection from seeding of bacteria.
• Bacteria in the bloodstream, which is deposited in a focal (localized) area of the bone. This bacterial site in the bone then grows, resulting in destruction of the bone. However, new bone often forms around the site.
• A chronic open wound or soft tissue infection can eventually extend down to the bone surface, leading to a secondary bone infection.

Osteomyelitis affects about two out of every 10,000 people. If left untreated, the infection can become chronic and cause a loss of blood supply to the affected bone. When this happens, it can lead to the eventual death of the bone tissue.

Osteomyelitis can affect both adults and children. The bacteria or fungus that can cause osteomyelitis, however, differs among age groups. In adults, osteomyelitis often affects the vertebrae and the pelvis. In children, osteomyelitis usually affects the adjacent ends of long bones. Long bones are large, dense bones that provide strength, structure, and mobility. They include the femur and tibia in the legs and the humerus and radius in the arms.

Osteomyelitis does not occur more commonly in a particular race or gender. However, some people are more at risk for developing the disease, including:

• People with diabetes
• Patients receiving hemodialysis
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with sickle cell disease
• Intravenous drug abusers
• The elderly

Symptoms of Osteomyelitis

The symptoms of Osteomyelitis can include:

• Pain and/or tenderness in the infected area
• Swelling and warmth in the infected area
• Fever
• Nausea, secondarily from being ill with infection
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
• Drainage of pus through the skin

Endophthalmitis
(Eye infections)

Endophthalmitis refers to intraocular inflammation involving the vitreous and anterior chamber of the eye. In most cases, endophthalmitis results from an infectious organism. Fungal (mold) endophthalmitis can be divided into the less common endogenous infections and the more common exogenous infections. These infections are generally caused by persons touching mold contaminated surfaces and then rubbing their eyes and skin. If left untreated this condition can lead to blindness. Treatments may take up to two to three months for a person to recover and there is no guarantee that 100% vision will be restored.

Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis is frequently an ocular (eye) manifestation of a systemic disease. Endogenous infections usually occur in people with 1 or more of the following risk factors: immunosuppression, intravenous drug abuse, bacterial sepsis, prolonged hyperalimentation, systemic antibiotics, corticosteroid therapy, recent abdominal surgery, malignancy, alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, trauma, and hemodialysis. Candida albicans is by far the most common pathogen isolated in endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Other pathogens include Aspergillus, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, Blastomyces, and Sporothrix species.

                                                          
Endocarditis
(Heart Problems)

Endocarditis is an inflammation of your heart's inner lining. The most common type, bacterial endocarditis, occurs when germs, mold or other microbials enter your heart. These microbials come through your bloodstream from another part of your body, often your mouth. Bacterial endocarditis can damage your heart valves. If untreated, it can be life-threatening. It is rare in healthy hearts.

Risk factors include having:

• An abnormal or damaged heart valve
• A severe case of mitral valve prolapse
• An artificial heart valve
• Certain heart defects

Symptoms include:

Fever
Shortness of breath
Fluid buildup in your arms or legs
Tiny red spots on your skin
Weight loss

                                   
Renal abscesses
(Kidney problems)

An abscess is a localized collection of pus  in a hollow area formed by the breaking up of tissues. A renal abscess is one that is confined to the kidney and is caused either by fungal (mold) or bacteria from an infection traveling to the kidneys through the bloodstream or by a urinary tract infection traveling to the kidney and then spreading to the kidney tissue.

A renal abscess can develop from a source of infection in any area of the body. Multiple skin abscesses and intravenous drug abuse can also be sources of renal abscess. Complicated urinary tract infections associated with stones, pregnancy, and diabetes mellitus may also put a person at risk for renal abscess.

Fever
Chills
Abdominal pain
Weight loss
Feeling of bodily discomfort
Urination may be painful and sometimes the urine is bloody

How is renal abscess diagnosed?

The patient often has an increased white blood cell count and bacteria often are present in the blood and urine.

                                                      
Cutaneous
(Skin, hair and nail infections)

The cutaneous mycoses are superficial fungal infections of the skin, hair or nails. Essentially no living tissue is invaded.


Blastomycosis


Method of entry into the human body:        Simple breathing

Areas effected growth or colonization:        Sinuses, Lungs, Skin, Heart, Bone & Joint, Genitourary Tract  

This Fungi / Mold, when introduced into the human body, mimics a bacterial pneumonia and is commonly misdiagnosed as such.


This also has been linked to affect the human body in the following areas and manners:

Acute Pulmonary                                      Mimics a bacterial pneumonia

Chronic Pulmonary                                   Mass mimicking bronchogenic carcinoma, or fibronodular infiltrates

Skin disease                                             Either a verrucous or ulcerative lesion with an indolent course

Subcutaneous Nodules                            Abscesses commonly associated with systemic manifestations.
                                                                    Frequently associated with inactive pulmonary or extrapulmonary
                                                                    disease.

Bone & Joint Infection                             Most commonly affect long bones, ribs and vertebrae. Lesions are
                                                                   usually well defined

Genitourinary Tract Infection                   Usually affects the prostate and epididymis. Can cause sexual dysfunction
                                                                   premature ejaculation and reduced volumes of siemen


Other organs can be involved, including the Central Nervous System, Thyroid, Paricardium, Adrenal Glands and gastrointestinal tract.   


Candidiasis

Method of entry into the human body:        Simple breathing

Areas effected growth or colonization:  Sinuses, Lungs, Pancreas, kidneys, Heart, Bones, Urinary Tract    
  

Candida spp. are the most frequent fungal agent causing cardiac infection both in adults and children.
Candidal endocarditis is a severe condition that has been traditionally associated with an exceptional high mortality and recurrence rates.

Candida pneumonia is one of the most challenging of all the Candida infections

• The kidney is one of the most frequently involved organs in this form of disease
• Imaging studies of patients with chronic renal candidiasis show renal abscesses in about one third of cases.

Infection of the pancreas with Candida spp. is another form of intra abdominal candidiasis that was once considered extremely unusual for many years, but now it is being recognized as a more frequent problem.

Acute Pancreatitis

This may occur in pancreatitis including gallstone pancreatitis, alcoholic, traumatic, post-surgical, post-traumatic or idiopathic. Candidal infection maybe the cause of possible complications of pancreatitis.

Candida Osteomyelitis
 
May involve any bone, however, the long bones are the most frequently affected in infants, while in adults the spine is most commonly involved. In order of frequency, the following sites are affected:

1. The spine (vertebral osteomyelitis). The lumbar spine (lower back) is the most frequently affected site.
2. Long bones. Usual sites are humerus, femur, fibula and tibia. (legs and arms, knees and elbows)
3. Sternum (chest and ribs) The involvement of this bone has been reported both in association with candidemia.

Candidal osteomyelitis signs and symptoms include:

1. Localized pain.                                  Vertebra with back pain as the most common complaint .
2. Soft-tissue swelling or drainage.  Sinus tracts are commonly involved. 
3. Fever.                                                   This sign is in half of the cases.
4. Gallbladder.                                        Biochemical abnormalities seen in gallbladder inflammation.

Fungus Ball in the Urinary Tract

This condition, sometimes called fungal "bezoar", can be caused by Candida spp. However, penicillium and Aspergillious have also been reported as the cause of fungus balls.

Fungus balls are commonly associated with the following underlying conditions:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Nephrolithiasis
• Any other cause of urinary obstruction

North American Histoplasmosis

Chronic pulmonary disease primarily affects the lungs. Higher rates of occurrence are noted in persons with pre-existing chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and occurs most frequently in elderly men. All stages of this disease may mimic tuberculosis. Histoplasmosis may coexist with actinomycosis, other mycoses, sarcoidosis, or tuberculosis.

Organs Involved:

Lymph Nodes (glands)
Bone Marrow
Heart
Adrenal glands
Central Nervous System
Gastrointestinal Tract  (bowels)
Eyes
Skin
Genitourinary tract (sex organs and urinary tract)


You may also want to visit the Infectious Disease Society of America for information about treating invasive mycoses.

See your attending physician for diagnosis and treatment for any medical condition.
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