Cytopathology & Histopathology

Biography

Biography: Sandhya Sundaram

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Fungi have been recognized as the causative agents of human disease earlier than bacteria. Michele (1729) described aspergillosis and named it because of its resemblance to “rougher head.” Since then more than 400 species of the fungi have been described. Fungi usually thrive in hot and humid climate and South India has a warm and moist climate throughout the year. Therefore a variety of fungal infection is reported with varying clinical features. Further with modern with the indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, cancer chemotherapeutic agents; use of immunosuppressive drugs, irradiation, and increased radiological screening procedures, hyperalimentation, organ transplantations, and acquired immunodeficiency have led to increasing in the incidence of fungal infection has increased. Therefore it is important to recognize different morphological features of fungus since early diagnosis can prevent complication. Histopathologic examination remains one of the major diagnostic tools in mycology because it permits rapid identification of fungal infections. Although culture is considered as gold standard for etiologic diagnosis of fungal infection, the tissue may sometimes not be available and it is a slow process. We analyzed two-year data of fungal infection at our tertiary care center and correlated where available with microbiological reports. A total of 64 cases of fungal infections were reported. The patient ages ranged from 17 to 77. Males were more commonly affected when compared to females. The commonest site of infection was nasal cavity followed by lung and extremities. The commonest type of fungus was Aspergillus followed by Zygomycetes. The spectrum of various fungal infections and their clinical correlation will be discussed.