Atlas of Parasitic Pathology

Salfelder, K.; Liscano, T. R. de; Sauerteig, E.

doi:10.1007/978-94-011-2228-3

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…Fungal cells may also be unicellular and yeast-like, which makes the term somewhat confusing. Clinically, phaeohyphomycoses range from superficial colonization to systemic abscess formation and dissemination (32). Two more histopathological types are recognized, viz., chromoblastomycosis and black-grain mycetoma, characterized by spherical, cruciately septate "muriform cells" (33) and multicellular grains (33), respectively, and being invariably cutaneous and subcutaneous (Fig.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Black Yeasts and Their Filamentous Relativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Black Yeasts and Their Filamentous Relatives: Principles of Pathogenesis and Host Defense

et al. 2014

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SUMMARY Among the melanized fungi, the so-called “black yeasts” and their filamentous relatives are particularly significant as agents of severe phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, and mycetoma in humans and animals. The pathogenicity and virulence of these fungi may differ significantly between closely related species. The factors which probably are of significance for pathogenicity include the presence of melanin and carotene, formation of thick cell walls and meristematic growth, presence of yeast-like phases, thermo- and perhaps also osmotolerance, adhesion, hydrophobicity, assimilation of aromatic hydrocarbons, and production of siderophores. Host defense has been shown to rely mainly on the ingestion and elimination of fungal cells by cells of the innate immune system, especially neutrophils and macrophages. However, there is increasing evidence supporting a role of T-cell-mediated immune responses, with increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) and low levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) being deleterious during the infection. There are no standardized therapies for treatment. It is therefore important to obtain in vitro susceptibilities of individual patients' fungal isolates in order to provide useful information for selection of appropriate treatment protocols. This article discusses the pathogenesis and host defense factors for these fungi and their severity, chronicity, and subsequent impact on treatment and prevention of diseases in human or animal hosts.

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Section: Characteristics Of Black Yeasts and Their Filamentous Relativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Black Yeasts and Their Filamentous Relatives: Principles of Pathogenesis and Host Defense

et al. 2014

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“…Two more histopathological types are described, viz., chromoblastomycosis and mycetoma, characterized by spherical, cruciately septate "muriform cells" and multicellular grains, respectively. Clinically, phaeohyphomycoses range from superficial colonization to systemic abscess formation and dissemination (4).…”

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Phaeohyphomycoses, Emerging Opportunistic Diseases in Animals

2013

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SUMMARYEmerging fungal diseases due to black yeasts and relatives in domestic or wild animals and in invertebrates or cold- and warm-blooded vertebrates are continually being reported, either as novel pathogens or as familiar pathogens affecting new species of hosts. Different epidemiological situations can be distinguished, i.e., occurrence as single infections or as zoonoses, and infection may occur sporadically in otherwise healthy hosts. Such infections are found mostly in mammals but also in cold-blooded animals, are frequently subcutaneous or cerebral, and bear much similarity to human primary disorders. Infections of the nervous system are mostly fatal, and the source and route of infection are currently unknown. A third epidemiological situation corresponds to pseudoepidemics, i.e., infection of a large host population due to a common source. It is often observed and generally hypothesized that the susceptible animals are under stress, e.g., due to poor housing conditions of mammals or to a change of basins in the case of fishes. The descriptions in this article represent an overview of the more commonly reported and recurring black fungi and the corresponding diseases in different types of animals.

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“…Curvularia and other dematiaceous fungi are seen in tissue sections as 2-to 6-m-wide hyphal forms which differ greatly in length and may be fragmented. Vesicular swellings of hyphae producing bizarre hyphal outlines are common (17). Pigmentation of these classically brown hyphae may be variable in tissue sections.…”

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Fatal Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis Due to Curvularia lunata in an Immunocompetent Patient

Carter

Boudreaux

2004

J Clin Microbiol

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Curvularia infections in humans are relatively uncommon despite the ubiquitous presence of this soildwelling dematiaceous fungus in the environment. Originally thought to be solely a pathogen of plants, Curvularia has been described as a pathogen of humans and animals in the last half-century, causing respiratory tract, cutaneous, and corneal infections. Only three previous cases of central nervous system involvement by Curvularia have been documented in the medical literature. We report a fatal case of cerebral Curvularia infection in which there was no known history of immunocompromise or prior respiratory tract or sinus infection in the patient. CASE REPORTA 21-year-old African-American male with a past medical history significant only for asthma presented to our medical center complaining of headache for the previous 2 months. The headache was located in the parietal and occipital regions and was constant with increasing severity over the past month. He obtained no relief with the use of over-the-counter medications. The headache was associated with double vision, dizziness, unsteady gait, anorexia with a 10-pound weight loss, low-grade fever, chills, and night sweats. His social history included smoking one pack of cigarettes per day and occasional cocaine and marijuana use. He denied intravenous drug use and was taking no medications at the time of admission. Physical examination findings included a temperature of 100.4°F; blood pressure of 101/67 mm Hg; neurologic status, alert and oriented to person, place, and time; no nuchal rigidity; no neurologic deficits; and diffuse inspiratory and expiratory wheezes bilaterally. Laboratory findings included a normal complete blood count, a urine drug screen positive for barbiturates and cannabinoids, and a slightly decreased serum sodium level. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain with and without contrast revealed a 4.8-by 3.8-cm area of intraparenchymal hypodensity on the right side of the brain involving the right basal ganglia and anterior horn adjacent to the right lateral ventricle with a density suggestive of hemorrhage. Apparent cerebral edema with a 4.0-mm left midline shift was also noted.The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and begun on mannitol and dexamethasone to reduce intracranial swelling. A stereotactic needle aspiration and biopsy of the cerebral mass was performed 2 days later. Cytologic analysis of the aspirated material showed rare pleomorphic septate fungal elements in a background of neutrophils, lymphocytes, multinucleated histiocytes, and necrotic debris (Fig. 1). Histologic sections of the stereotactic brain biopsy tissue demonstrated brain parenchyma with granulomatous inflammation and necrosis associated with scattered light-brown fungal hyphae (Fig. 2). The fungal hyphae in the biopsy specimen were much more uniform in diameter than those seen in the fluid sample. Only rare septa were identified. Treatment of the patient with amphotericin B, vancomycin, and ceftriaxone was begun. Culture of the biopsy tissue sub...

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Atlas of Parasitic Pathology

Cited by 15 publications

References 1 publication

Black Yeasts and Their Filamentous Relatives: Principles of Pathogenesis and Host Defense

Black Yeasts and Their Filamentous Relatives: Principles of Pathogenesis and Host Defense

Phaeohyphomycoses, Emerging Opportunistic Diseases in Animals

Fatal Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis Due to Curvularia lunata in an Immunocompetent Patient

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