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Fungal pneumonia is an infection of the lungs by fungi. It can be caused by either endemic or opportunistic fungi or a combination of both. Case mortality in fungal pneumonias can be as high as 90% in immunocompromised patients, [ 1 ] [ 2 ] though immunocompetent patients generally respond well to anti-fungal therapy.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), also known as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), is a form of pneumonia that is caused by the yeast-like fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] Pneumocystis specimens are commonly found in the lungs of healthy people although it is usually not a cause for disease. [ 5 ]
Pneumocystosis is a fungal infection that most often presents as Pneumocystis pneumonia in people with HIV/AIDS or poor immunity. [1] [7] It usually causes cough, difficulty breathing and fever, and can lead to respiratory failure. [4]
A CSF fungal culture can tell if there is a microbiological failure (failure of the fungal infections to treat the infection). CSF fungal culture has a 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. CSF cell analysis is characterized by increased lymphocytes, reduced protein, and reduced glucose. [17]
Symptoms can take up to three weeks to show up, the CDC says — and up to 10% of those who get Valley Fever “will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs.
A study published in 2022 suggested that around 10% of illnesses caused by fungal infections were diagnosed outside regions where the fungi are known to be endemic.
A fungus ball in the lungs may cause no symptoms and may be discovered only with a chest X-ray, or it may cause repeated coughing up of blood, chest pain, and occasionally severe, even fatal, bleeding. [2] A rapidly invasive Aspergillus infection in the lungs often causes cough, fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. [citation needed]
[1] [7] Systemic fungal infections are more serious and include cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, pneumocystis pneumonia, aspergillosis and mucormycosis. [3] Signs and symptoms range widely. [3] There is usually a rash with superficial infection. [2] Fungal infection within the skin or under the skin may present with a lump and skin changes. [3]