Infections Due to Zygomycetes and Other Rare Fungal Opportunists

Abstract

In this article we review the salient features of several invasive mycoses seen with increasing frequency in this age of immunocompromised hosts. Included are descriptions of zygomycosis, trichosporonosis, and fusariosis. Invasive disease due to the pigmented molds, phaeohyphomycosis, and that due to some of the lightly colored molds, hyalohyphomycosis, are also discussed because these syndromes have developed increasing medical importance as organ transplantation, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and other medical advances increase the populations susceptible to fungal infections. Finally, a rare endemic dimorphic fungus, Penicillium marneffei, is described as a significant pathogen with worldwide implications as HIV infection has spread into its environmental range.

Key Words:

zygomycosis - trichosporonosis - fusariosis