Walsh and Hoyt's Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology

Fungi and Mycotic Diseases

"Opportunistic fungal infections are common and continue to increase in frequency and severity as a consequence of the use of immunosuppressive therapy after solid-organ transplantation and for a variety of diseases, particularly cancer, and because of the increasing prevalence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (1-6)."

"Opportunistic fungal infections are common and continue to increase in frequency and severity as a consequence of the use of immunosuppressive therapy after solid-organ transplantation and for a variety of diseases, particularly cancer, and because of the increasing prevalence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (1-6). Infections caused by fungi can be broadly divided into those that take advantage of defects in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), such as aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and candidiasis, and those that take advantage of a defect in the phagocytic ability of T-lymphocytes, such as coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, and histoplasmosis (1,7,8). In this chapter, we consider the fungi that are most often pathogenic in hu-mans and frequently affect the ocular and central nervous system(CNS). The taxonomic classification of fungi that we have used is meant to be current (9); however, it must be emphasized that continued improvement in techniques that permit detailed analysis of the structural components, genetic material, and metabolic activities of these fungi may result in reclassification. Most primary infections are subclinical and occur in persons with a normal immune system. Many fungi, however, have the ability to remain dormant for long periods, so that if the formerly resistant host becomes immune depressed at a later date, the fungus multiplies and the host becomes symptomatic."