Histopathologic diagnosis of fungal infections in the 21st century
- PMID:21482725
- PMCID: PMC3122495
- DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00053-10
Histopathologic diagnosis of fungal infections in the 21st century
Abstract
Fungal infections are becoming more frequent because of expansion of at-risk populations and the use of treatment modalities that permit longer survival of these patients. Because histopathologic examination of tissues detects fungal invasion of tissues and vessels as well as the host reaction to the fungus, it is and will remain an important tool to define the diagnostic significance of positive culture isolates or results from PCR testing. However, there are very few instances where the morphological characteristics of fungi are specific. Therefore, histopathologic diagnosis should be primarily descriptive of the fungus and should include the presence or absence of tissue invasion and the host reaction to the infection. The pathology report should also include a comment stating the most frequent fungi associated with that morphology as well as other possible fungi and parasites that should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Alternate techniques have been used to determine the specific agent present in the histopathologic specimen, including immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and PCR. In addition, techniques such as laser microdissection will be useful to detect the now more frequently recognized dual fungal infections and the local environment in which this phenomenon occurs.
Figures





Similar articles
- In situ hybridization for rRNA sequences in anatomic pathology specimens, applications for fungal pathogen detection: a review.Montone KT, Guarner J.Montone KT, et al.Adv Anat Pathol. 2013 May;20(3):168-74. doi: 10.1097/PAP.0b013e31828d187d.Adv Anat Pathol. 2013.PMID:23574773Review.
- Comparison between the effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization in detecting the presence of pathogenic fungi by using the preserved DNA in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues.Zhi Y, Sasai D, Okubo Y, Shinozaki M, Nakayama H, Yamagata Murayama S, Wakayama M, Ide T, Zhang Z, Shibuya K.Zhi Y, et al.Jpn J Infect Dis. 2013;66(3):173-9. doi: 10.7883/yoken.66.173.Jpn J Infect Dis. 2013.PMID:23698476
- [Recent progress in molecular diagnosis of deep-seated mycoses].Murayama SY.Murayama SY.Rinsho Byori. 2001 Jul;49(7):699-706.Rinsho Byori. 2001.PMID:11519135Review.Japanese.
- Detection and identification of yeasts from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue by use of PCR-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.Simner PJ, Buckwalter SP, Uhl JR, Wengenack NL, Pritt BS.Simner PJ, et al.J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Nov;51(11):3731-4. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01967-13. Epub 2013 Aug 28.J Clin Microbiol. 2013.PMID:23985922Free PMC article.
- Laboratory diagnosis of invasive mycoses.O'Shaughnessy EM, Shea YM, Witebsky FG.O'Shaughnessy EM, et al.Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2003 Mar;17(1):135-58. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5520(02)00069-7.Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2003.PMID:12751264Review.
Cited by
- Close encounters of three kinds: Case-based report of endemic mycoses in the environs of New York city.Manglani R, Pavosevic HT, Han L, Epelbaum O.Manglani R, et al.Respir Med Case Rep. 2020 May 30;30:101106. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101106. eCollection 2020.Respir Med Case Rep. 2020.PMID:32551220Free PMC article.
- The first case ofTrichophyton spp. pneumonia reported in Vietnam.Vu LT, Duc NM, Tra My TT, Bang LV, Luu DT, Thong PM.Vu LT, et al.Respir Med Case Rep. 2021 Feb 18;32:101371. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101371. eCollection 2021.Respir Med Case Rep. 2021.PMID:33680802Free PMC article.
- Utility of PCR in diagnosis of invasive fungal infections: real-life data from a multicenter study.Lass-Flörl C, Mutschlechner W, Aigner M, Grif K, Marth C, Girschikofsky M, Grander W, Greil R, Russ G, Cerkl P, Eller M, Kropshofer G, Eschertzhuber S, Kathrein H, Schmid S, Beer R, Lorenz I, Theurl I, Nachbaur D.Lass-Flörl C, et al.J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Mar;51(3):863-8. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02965-12. Epub 2012 Dec 26.J Clin Microbiol. 2013.PMID:23269732Free PMC article.
- AngioinvasiveAlternaria alternata presenting with violaceous papules and plaques in the setting of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Kellogg C, Burger E, Hinds BR, Schneider JA.Kellogg C, et al.JAAD Case Rep. 2022 Nov 5;31:6-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2022.10.033. eCollection 2023 Jan.JAAD Case Rep. 2022.PMID:36478978Free PMC article.No abstract available.
- Rhinosinus Mucormycosis with Drug-induced Pancytopenia in an Immunocompromised Severe COVID-19 Patient: A Success.Mahajan A, Tandon VS.Mahajan A, et al.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2022 Mar;26(3):395-398. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24134.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2022.PMID:35519907Free PMC article.
References
- Adam R. D., Elliott S. P., Taljanovicc M. S. 2009. The spectrum and presentation of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Am. J. Med. 122:770–777 - PubMed
- Agarwal R. 2009. Allergic bonchopulmonary aspergillosis. Chest 135:805–826 - PubMed
- Alexander B., Smith P., Davis R., Perfect J., Reller L. 18 August 2010. The (1,3)-β-d glucan test as an aid to the early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections following lung transplantation. J. Clin. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/JCM.01183-10 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
- Ameen M. 2010. Epidemiology of superficial fungal infections. Clin. Dermatol. 28:197–201 - PubMed
- Ampel N. M. 2009. Coccidioidomycosis: a review of recent advances. Clin. Chest Med. 30:241–251 - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
Related information
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical