Histoplasmosis is the most common primary systemic mycosis in the Americas, affecting hundreds of thousands of people living in urban and rural areas of the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys, some mideastern states, and parts of Central and South America.…
The majority of human cryptococcal infections are caused by one of two species: Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. These species were previously separated into 3 varieties: C. neoformans var. neoformans, C. neoformans var. grubii, and C. neoformans var. gattii, which…
Sporotrichosis is a chronic subcutaneous fungal infection caused by thermally dimorphic fungal species in the Sporothrix schenckii complex . This species complex is found worldwide in soil, on decomposing vegetation, and on plant material, such as sphagnum moss, hay bales,…
Microbiology Malassezia (formerly called Pityrosporum ) is a genus of lipophilic, basidiomycetous yeasts lacking ballistospores and classified in the order Malasseziales . Its phylogenetic placement within the Ustilaginomycotina (Basidiomycota) is highly supported. Malassezia increasingly is recognized as an opportunist affecting…
Mucormycosis (formerly zygomycosis) is an uncommon but emerging infection that occurs in immunocompromised patients, including children and neonates. Previously, the term zygomycosis was used to refer to syndromes of mucormycosis and entomophthoromycosis, but updates in taxonomy determined that the phylum…
Agents of hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis are ubiquitous filamentous molds. (Moulds is the preferred spelling by many mycologists.) These molds are soil saprobes and plant pathogens that have gained notoriety as emerging pathogens in immunocompromised hosts, including children. The pathogenesis of…
Although yeasts such as Candida species are the most common causes of invasive fungal infections in children, Aspergillus infections are increasing and have a dismal mortality rate. Invasive aspergillosis is a prominent infection because of more intensive chemotherapies for certain…
Candida infections occur frequently in neonates, infants, and children, ranging from superficial skin infections to invasive disease. The number of children at risk for invasive candidiasis (IC) continues to increase due to new cancer therapies, increasing numbers of immunosuppressed solid…
Fungal disease contributes significantly to patients’ morbidity and mortality in certain clinical settings. Extensive medical interventions, immunosuppression, and a heightened awareness of fungal disease, particularly opportunistic mycoses in the setting of immune compromise, have all necessitated an increased understanding of…
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major etiologic agent of enterically transmitted non-A viral hepatitis worldwide. It is a spherical, nonenveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that is approximately 32–34 nm in diameter. HEV is the sole member of the family…