Fungal Infections

As infecting parasites, fungi can be hostile to other living creatures-- plants and animals, large and small. Fungi produce disease in many different ways. The most obvious are skin infections that everyone develops. Surface infections of the scalp produce itching and scaling (dandruff) and are a life-long feature of most humans.

Some fungi exist in the environment and  are able to cause an invasive infection in otherwise healthy individuals. Other fungi are opportunistic fungi that become invasive when immune defenses are compromised. Humans are hosts to resident species such as candida that are more a nuisance to people with normal immune systems, but become life threatening infectious agents when immune defense is compromised. More about Candida Infection

The endemic mycoses include histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, crytococcus, sporotrichosis, coccidioidomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and penicilliosis. These organisms exist as molds in the environment and as either yeasts or spherules in tissues. Each organism occupies a different ecologic niche and has a distinct geographic distribution. Although all 6 diseases have common manifestations, each has its  distinct characteristics. The endemic mycoses infect the lungs, skin, and other organs. Invasive fungal infections are more difficult to treat than bacterial infections.

Patients with an endemic mycosis are treated with an azole antifungal drug such as itraconazole. Patients who are severely ill with CNS involvement are  treated with amphotericin B, followed by an azole. Prolonged  suppressive treatment with itraconazole twice daily maintains remission in 95% of immune compromised patients.

Histoplasma capsulatum infection is a world-wide problem that causes more severe infection in immunocompromised hosts. These fungi thrive in moist soil enriched by bird and bat droppings and infect human beings by an inhalation route.

Cases of blastomycosis are reported from the south central and north central United States and the southern portions of Canadian provinces. See Blastomycosis.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important airborne fungal pathogen causing life-threatening infections in hospitalized immunosuppressed patients. 

This Web Site was developed by  Environmed Research Inc. Sechelt, B.C., Canada. Online Since 1995. Orders for printed books and nutrient formulas are placed at Alpha Online. Persona Publications  is another division of Environmed with a separate online site for  downloading eBooks, music, videos and other digital documents.  Alpha Nutrition ® is a registered trademark of Environmed Research Inc.