Endemic mycoses: overlooked causes of community acquired pneumonia

Respir Med. 2012 Jun;106(6):769-76. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2012.02.004. Epub 2012 Mar 3.

Abstract

The endemic mycoses are important but often overlooked causes for community acquired pneumonia. Delays in recognition, diagnosis and proper treatment often lead to disastrous outcomes. This topic is not usually discussed in reviews and guidelines addressing the subject of community acquired pneumonia. In this review we discuss the three major endemic mycoses in North America that present as community acquired pneumonias; Coccidioidomycosis, Histoplasmosis and Blastomycosis. We discuss their epidemiology, clinical presentations, methods of diagnosis and current treatment strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blastomycosis / diagnosis
  • Blastomycosis / drug therapy
  • Blastomycosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidioidomycosis / diagnosis
  • Coccidioidomycosis / drug therapy
  • Coccidioidomycosis / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / diagnosis
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Histoplasmosis / diagnosis
  • Histoplasmosis / drug therapy
  • Histoplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents