Fungal pneumonia: Difference between revisions

Fungal pneumonia
	Pulmonary aspergillosis
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Cough, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath
Complications	Respiratory failure, sepsis
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Fungal infection by species such as Aspergillus, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, Blastomyces
Risks	Immunocompromised state, HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, organ transplant
Diagnosis	Chest X-ray, CT scan, sputum culture, bronchoscopy
Differential diagnosis	Bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, tuberculosis
Prevention	Avoidance of exposure in high-risk areas, prophylactic antifungal medication
Treatment	Antifungal medication such as voriconazole, amphotericin B
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, depends on underlying health and timeliness of treatment
Frequency	Rare in healthy individuals, more common in immunocompromised
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 18:38, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

An overview of fungal pneumonia, focusing on pulmonary aspergillosis

Fungal pneumonia is an infectious disease of the lungs caused by fungi. It is a type of pneumonia that occurs when fungal spores are inhaled and infect the lung tissue. This condition is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or those taking immunosuppressive medications.

Causes[edit]

Fungal pneumonia can be caused by various types of fungi. The most common fungi that cause pneumonia include:

Aspergillus species, leading to pulmonary aspergillosis
Histoplasma capsulatum, causing histoplasmosis
Coccidioides immitis, responsible for coccidioidomycosis
Cryptococcus neoformans, leading to cryptococcosis

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of fungal pneumonia can vary depending on the specific fungus involved but often include:

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of fungal pneumonia typically involves a combination of:

Chest X-ray or CT scan to identify lung abnormalities
Sputum culture or bronchoalveolar lavage to identify the fungal organism
Blood tests to detect fungal antigens or antibodies

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of fungal pneumonia depends on the specific fungus causing the infection. Common treatments include:

Antifungal medications such as amphotericin B, itraconazole, or voriconazole
Supportive care, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation if necessary

Pulmonary Aspergillosis[edit]

Pulmonary aspergillosis is a type of fungal pneumonia caused by the Aspergillus species, most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus. It can manifest in several forms, including:

Risk Factors[edit]

Individuals at higher risk for pulmonary aspergillosis include those with:

Clinical Presentation[edit]

Symptoms of pulmonary aspergillosis can include:

Persistent cough
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
Worsening asthma symptoms in ABPA

Management[edit]

Management of pulmonary aspergillosis involves:

Antifungal therapy, often with voriconazole or amphotericin B
Surgical intervention in cases of aspergilloma
Corticosteroids for ABPA

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Fungal pneumonia''' is a type of [[lung infection]] caused by [[fungi]]. It is a serious condition that can lead to severe illness and even death if not treated promptly and effectively.
+{{SI}}
+{{Infobox medical condition
-== Causes ==
+| name            = Fungal pneumonia
+| image           = [[File:Pulmonary_aspergillosis.jpg|left|thumb|Pulmonary aspergillosis]]
-Fungal pneumonia is caused by the inhalation of fungal spores. These spores can be found in the environment, particularly in soil and bird droppings. The most common types of fungi that cause pneumonia include [[Histoplasma]], [[Coccidioides]], [[Blastomyces]], [[Aspergillus]], and [[Cryptococcus]].
+| caption         = CT scan showing pulmonary aspergillosis
+| field           = [[Infectious disease]]
-== Symptoms ==
+| symptoms        = [[Cough]], [[fever]], [[chest pain]], [[shortness of breath]]
+| complications   = [[Respiratory failure]], [[sepsis]]
-The symptoms of fungal pneumonia can vary depending on the type of fungus causing the infection. Common symptoms include [[fever]], [[cough]], [[shortness of breath]], [[chest pain]], and [[fatigue]]. In severe cases, patients may experience [[weight loss]], [[night sweats]], and [[coughing up blood]].
+| onset           = Gradual
+| duration        = Varies
-== Diagnosis ==
+| causes          = [[Fungal infection]] by species such as ''[[Aspergillus]]'', ''[[Histoplasma]]'', ''[[Coccidioides]]'', ''[[Blastomyces]]''
+| risks           = [[Immunocompromised]] state, [[HIV/AIDS]], [[chemotherapy]], [[organ transplant]]
-Diagnosis of fungal pneumonia typically involves a combination of [[medical history]], physical examination, and laboratory tests. These tests may include [[blood tests]], [[chest X-ray]], [[CT scan]], and [[bronchoscopy]]. In some cases, a [[lung biopsy]] may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
+| diagnosis       = [[Chest X-ray]], [[CT scan]], [[sputum culture]], [[bronchoscopy]]
+| differential    = [[Bacterial pneumonia]], [[viral pneumonia]], [[tuberculosis]]
-== Treatment ==
+| prevention      = Avoidance of exposure in high-risk areas, [[prophylactic antifungal medication]]
+| treatment       = [[Antifungal medication]] such as [[voriconazole]], [[amphotericin B]]
-Treatment for fungal pneumonia usually involves antifungal medications. The specific medication and duration of treatment will depend on the type of fungus causing the infection and the patient's overall health. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
+| prognosis       = Variable, depends on underlying health and timeliness of treatment
+| frequency       = Rare in healthy individuals, more common in immunocompromised
-== Prevention ==
+}}
+{{Short description|An overview of fungal pneumonia, focusing on pulmonary aspergillosis}}
-Prevention of fungal pneumonia involves avoiding exposure to environments where fungal spores are likely to be present. This may include wearing masks when working in dusty environments or when handling bird droppings.
+Fungal pneumonia is an infectious disease of the lungs caused by fungi. It is a type of [[pneumonia]] that occurs when fungal spores are inhaled and infect the lung tissue. This condition is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with [[HIV/AIDS]], [[cancer]], or those taking immunosuppressive medications.
+=== Causes ===
+Fungal pneumonia can be caused by various types of fungi. The most common fungi that cause pneumonia include:
+* ''[[Aspergillus]]'' species, leading to [[pulmonary aspergillosis]]
+* ''[[Histoplasma capsulatum]]'', causing [[histoplasmosis]]
+* ''[[Coccidioides immitis]]'', responsible for [[coccidioidomycosis]]
+* ''[[Cryptococcus neoformans]]'', leading to [[cryptococcosis]]
+=== Symptoms ===
+The symptoms of fungal pneumonia can vary depending on the specific fungus involved but often include:
+* [[Cough]]
+* [[Fever]]
+* [[Chest pain]]
+* [[Shortness of breath]]
+* [[Fatigue]]
+=== Diagnosis ===
+Diagnosis of fungal pneumonia typically involves a combination of:
+* [[Chest X-ray]] or [[CT scan]] to identify lung abnormalities
+* [[Sputum culture]] or [[bronchoalveolar lavage]] to identify the fungal organism
+* [[Blood tests]] to detect fungal antigens or antibodies
+=== Treatment ===
+Treatment of fungal pneumonia depends on the specific fungus causing the infection. Common treatments include:
+* [[Antifungal medications]] such as [[amphotericin B]], [[itraconazole]], or [[voriconazole]]
+* Supportive care, including [[oxygen therapy]] and [[mechanical ventilation]] if necessary
+== Pulmonary Aspergillosis ==
+Pulmonary aspergillosis is a type of fungal pneumonia caused by the ''Aspergillus'' species, most commonly ''[[Aspergillus fumigatus]]''. It can manifest in several forms, including:
+* [[Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis]] (ABPA)
+* [[Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis]]
+* [[Invasive aspergillosis]]
+=== Risk Factors ===
+Individuals at higher risk for pulmonary aspergillosis include those with:
+* [[Chronic lung disease]]
+* [[Immunocompromised]] status
+* [[Corticosteroid]] use
+=== Clinical Presentation ===
+Symptoms of pulmonary aspergillosis can include:
+* Persistent cough
+* Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
+* Worsening asthma symptoms in ABPA
+=== Management ===
+Management of pulmonary aspergillosis involves:
+* Antifungal therapy, often with [[voriconazole]] or [[amphotericin B]]
+* Surgical intervention in cases of aspergilloma
+* Corticosteroids for ABPA
 == See also ==
 * [[Pneumonia]]
-* [[Lung infection]]
+* [[Aspergillosis]]
-* [[Fungal infection]]
+* [[Histoplasmosis]]
+* [[Coccidioidomycosis]]
-[[Category:Respiratory diseases]]
+* [[Cryptococcosis]]
 [[Category:Infectious diseases]]
+[[Category:Pulmonology]]
 [[Category:Fungal diseases]]
-{{stub}}

Fungal pneumonia
Pulmonary aspergillosis
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Cough, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath
Complications	Respiratory failure, sepsis
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Fungal infection by species such as Aspergillus, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, Blastomyces
Risks	Immunocompromised state, HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, organ transplant
Diagnosis	Chest X-ray, CT scan, sputum culture, bronchoscopy
Differential diagnosis	Bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, tuberculosis
Prevention	Avoidance of exposure in high-risk areas, prophylactic antifungal medication
Treatment	Antifungal medication such as voriconazole, amphotericin B
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, depends on underlying health and timeliness of treatment
Frequency	Rare in healthy individuals, more common in immunocompromised
Deaths	N/A