Abstract

Introduction: Fungal infections are becoming a public health issue and is setting a challenge to healthcare professionals. The present study was undertaken to study the risk factor, clinical and radiological profile of the patients of invasive /systemic fungal infections.

Methodology: Patients hospitalised with suspected fungal infection were screened for fungal aetiology. Patient diagnosed with invasive fungal disease after microbiological assessment were included in the study. Past medical history, presenting complaints and clinical course of the patients was analysed.

Results: Most common age group was 41 to 60 years. Diabetes mellitus and HIV/AIDS were the most common risk factor. Aspergillus and Mucor occurred most frequently in patients of diabetes mellitus while Cryptococcus in HIV patients. Candida was found in patients with neutropenia. Headache was the common presenting symptom in patients diagnosed with Cryptococcus and Mucor while convulsions were seen in 87.5% of the patients with Cryptococcal infection. Mucor and Aspergillus were isolated mainly from rhino-cerebral and naso-orbital site, while Candida from blood and esophagus. CSF samples of all eight cases of Cryptococcus tested positive for the organism. Imaging found that all cases of Aspergillus and Mucor had tissue invasion and bony erosions. Of the patients studied, 18 (53%) survived and 16 (47%) expired. Final outcome of the patients was not significantly associated with the type of fungal organism isolated.

Conclusions: Invasive fungal infections result in high mortality, which warrants a high degree of suspicion for early diagnosis so that effective treatment can be initiated in a timely fashion.

Keywords: Invasive fungal pathogens; diabetes; diagnosis; immunodeficiency.