Endemic pulmonary fungal diseases in immunocompetent patients: an emphasis on thoracic imaging.

Endemic pulmonary fungal diseases in immunocompetent patients: an emphasis on thoracic imaging. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2019 Jan 22;: Authors: Di Mango AL, Zanetti G, Penha D, Menna Barreto M, Marchiori E Abstract INTRODUCTION: Systemic endemic mycoses are prevalent in specific geographical areas of the world and are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality in these populations, and in immigrants and travelers returning from endemic regions. The most common fungal infections that can affect the lungs of immunocompetent patients include histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, sporotrycosis, aspergillosis, and cryptococcosis. Diagnosis and management of these diseases remain challenging, especially in non-endemic areas due to the lack of experience. Therefore, recognition of the various radiologic manifestations of pulmonary fungal infections associated with patients' clinical and epidemiologic history is imperative for narrowing the differential diagnosis. Areas covered: This review discusses the clinical and radiological findings of the main endemic fungal diseases affecting the lungs in immunocompetent patients. Specific topics discussed are their etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, methods of diagnosis, pathology and main imaging findings, especially in computed tomography. Expert commentary: Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of ...
Source: Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine - Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Expert Rev Respir Med Source Type: research