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Deep Fungal Infections: Robin’s 8th ed. Teachers: 369 pg

Deep fungal infections can spread systemically and invade tissues, destroying vital organs in
immunocompromised hosts, but usually heal or remain latent in otherwise normal hosts.

Some deep fungal species are limited to a particular geographic region (e.g., Coccidioides in the
southwestern United States and Histoplasma in the Ohio River Valley).

Opportunistic fungi (e.g., Candida, Aspergillus, Mucor, and Cryptococcus), by contrast, are
ubiquitous organisms that either colonize individuals or are encountered from environmental
sources.

In immunodeficient individuals, opportunistic fungi give rise to life-threatening infections

characterized by tissue Necrosis, Hemorrhage, and Vascular occlusion, with little or no inflammatory
response.

AIDS patients are often infected by the opportunistic fungus Pneumocystis jiroveci (previously called
Pneumocystis carinii.

Examples of Deep Mycoses: Brimbaum- 159 (& 195-197) pg.

1. Aspergillosis.

2. Histoplasmosis.

3. Mucormycosis.

4. Cryptococcosis.

5. Blastomycosis.

 Deep Mycoses is Rare in UK. But can found in Endemic zone like: Mississippi river area of
USA, Africa, Australia & South-East Asia.

 Deep mycoses can be found in Immunocompromized patient like Leukaemia & AIDS. Even in
poorly controlled Diabetic patient, Aspergillosis can be found.

 Deep Fungal Infections can be diagnosed by Biopsy & Culture.