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Pulmonary fungal infections: Making the diagnosis

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zaas, AK; Perfect, JR
Published in: Journal of Respiratory Diseases
October 1, 2003

Since endemic mycoses can be contracted during a brief travel exposure, it is important to inquire about travel when a patient presents with symptoms of a respiratory infection. Most patients with blastomycosis present in the chronic phase, with cough, weight loss, hemoptysis, and pleurisy; the chest radiograph typically shows lobar consolidation. The diagnostic workup includes sputum examination and culture and serologic testing. Patients who have cryptococcosis are often immunocompromised and may be asymptomatic or present with pulmonary nodules or pneumonia with hemoptysis and pleural effusions. Diagnosis may include a serum Cryptococcus antigen test, with positive results prompting a lumbar puncture and blood cultures. Patients with semi-invasive aspergillosis may have upper lobe interstitial infiltrates with pleural thickening or a fungus ball. The diagnosis involves isolation of Aspergillus species from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or biopsy samples and exclusion of other causes of pneumonia.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Respiratory Diseases

ISSN

0194-259X

Publication Date

October 1, 2003

Volume

24

Issue

10

Start / End Page

433 / 444

Related Subject Headings

  • Respiratory System
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Zaas, A. K., & Perfect, J. R. (2003). Pulmonary fungal infections: Making the diagnosis. Journal of Respiratory Diseases, 24(10), 433–444.
Zaas, A. K., and J. R. Perfect. “Pulmonary fungal infections: Making the diagnosis.” Journal of Respiratory Diseases 24, no. 10 (October 1, 2003): 433–44.
Zaas AK, Perfect JR. Pulmonary fungal infections: Making the diagnosis. Journal of Respiratory Diseases. 2003 Oct 1;24(10):433–44.
Zaas, A. K., and J. R. Perfect. “Pulmonary fungal infections: Making the diagnosis.” Journal of Respiratory Diseases, vol. 24, no. 10, Oct. 2003, pp. 433–44.
Zaas AK, Perfect JR. Pulmonary fungal infections: Making the diagnosis. Journal of Respiratory Diseases. 2003 Oct 1;24(10):433–444.

Published In

Journal of Respiratory Diseases

ISSN

0194-259X

Publication Date

October 1, 2003

Volume

24

Issue

10

Start / End Page

433 / 444

Related Subject Headings

  • Respiratory System