Fungal Culture of Clinical Samples: Introduction, Principle, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Body fluid and sputum for culture

Introduction Fungal culture is the gold standard method for the detection and identification of pathogenic fungi in clinical microbiology. It is essential for diagnosing superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic mycoses. Clinical specimens such as blood, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), skin scrapings, nail …

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Histoplasma-Antibody Testing: Introduction, Principle, Clinical Significance, and Keynotes

Introduction Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus responsible for histoplasmosis, a systemic mycosis prevalent in endemic regions such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, parts of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Rapid and reliable diagnosis is crucial since clinical features may mimic tuberculosis, malignancy, …

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Fungal Pneumonia-Introduction, Common fungi, Clinical Feature, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Aspergillus fumigatus growth on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plate

Introduction Fungal pneumonia or invasive fungal pulmonary infection is often life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients, such as those with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, or with HIV/AIDS. pulmonary inflammation caused by inhaled fungal spores or hematogenous fungal spread, leading to pneumonia-like illness. Common Fungi Causing Pulmonary Infections: …

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