Pseudoallescheriosis

Pseudoallescheriosis General Information

Pseudoallescheriosis is a serious medical condition caused by a ubiquitously occurring filamentous fungus, called pseudallescheria boydii (a homothallic fungus). This microorganism belongs to the phylum ascomycota, to the euascomycetes class and to the microascaceae family and is considered life-threatening for the life of the infected patient. Scientists isolated it from contaminated water, sewage, the manure or farm animals and soil. It is well known that Pseudoallescheriosis causes only very rarely opportunistic, (independent) infection in humans. Usually, people get this type of medical condition in certain special circumstances. This extremely dangerous fungus is a very common cause of fungal related pneumonia, being associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. This fungus is found worldwide and typically invades the brain or lungs or it can cause cutaneous mycetomas. Pseudoallescheriosis represents a challenge for every doctor because it is difficult to treat due to the fact that the microorganism has developed resistance to amphotericin B and surgical resection is frequently needed. The lesions of the brain are resolved with surgery and pneumonia will respond very well to treatments with Voriconazole. If not treated in time, death occurs very rapidly.

Pseudoallescheriosis Symptoms

As any other type of infection, Pseudoallescheriosis presents some distinctive and specific signs and symptoms that help the doctor to differentiate it from other similar medical conditions. In this second part of our presentation, we will present you a list of the most common signs and symptoms of this type of infection that are experienced by almost all the patients. Because some of the persons who suffer from Pseudoallescheriosis have accused some unique and particular manifestations. If you think you need more information, we advise you to contact your health care provider or other specialist in the domain that has the adequate training. You must have in mind that this is a very serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attendance, because if a treatment is not received in the first few hours, death can occur. This type of infection caused by a fungus called pseudallescheria boydii is only occasional. More prone to develop it are those people who have a compromised immune system due to reasons such as AIDS, organ transplant or hematological malignancies. The most common types of infections caused by Pseudoallescheriosis are: meningoencephalitis, endocarditis, keratitis, brain abscess, sinusitis, pneumonia, endophthalmitis, lung abscess, arthritis or lymphadenitis. The disseminated infections are the most dangerous because if not treated, they are usually fatal. Near-drowning patients develop a complication, cerebral infection. Other types of infections include, besides those mentioned before, allergic bronchopulmonary fungal disease, urethritis, pulmonary fungus ball, bursitis and osteomyelitis.

Pseudoallescheriosis Treatment

In this chapter we intend to present you several methods to treat Pseudoallescheriosis. These treatment options may not be the only ones effective against this type of medical condition and in case you want to be more informed, you could talk to your health care provider. This illness needs special attention and considering the risks, we think you need to be very well informed in what concerns the most important aspects of your medical disorder. Pseudoallescheriosis is a type of fungal infection that can easily provoke the death of the patient if it is not discovered in time and treated properly. Because of the severity of this medical condition – Pseudoallescheriosis, we strongly advise you that as soon as you start experiencing any of the signs and symptoms that we have listed above, you call your health care provider and establish a date for the examination. When seeing a doctor, you will be asked about what you experienced and if you were near-drowning. After finding out the necessary information, the health care provider will need to do several tests that include physical exams, blood tests, pleural liquid analysis, CT (computerized tomography) scan etc. If the results of these tests suggest you suffer from Pseudoallescheriosis your physician will have to decide upon an adequate therapy option. It is well known that the fungus causing this disease has developed resistance to amphotericin B and this is why it is very difficult to treat. Sometimes, if the health status of a patient is more severe, the doctor can choose to apply a combination of therapies and even surgery.

The most commonly used treatment option is based on medications and the most effective drugs are considered Monistat, Vfend or Miconazole. The last one is an anti-fungal imidazole agent that is applied to the mucus membranes or on the skin (topically) in order to cure the fungal infection. This medicine acts by stopping the ergosterol synthesis, a very important component of the fungal cells membranes. An adult dose is 300 to 1200 mg administrated IV (intravenously) every 6 hours for forty days to three or four months, depending on the improvements. The bad part is that the drug causes several side effects, such as fever, dizziness, flushing, diarrhea, pruritus, hyperlipidemia, sinus tachycardia, drowsiness, hyponatremia or thrombocytopenia. Vfend is another popular antifungal drug that acts by blocking the development of the fugal cell’s walls, causing this way the death of the fungus. If a patient suffering from Pseudoallescheriosis can not tolerate other medicines, then Vfend is the perfect option. This type of medicine should not be taken if you are pregnant, allergic to any of its components, such as Voriconazole or if you follow treatments based on Quinidex, Propulsid, Norvir, Migranal, Hismanal, Orap or Tegretol. Take this medicine as your health care provider prescribed you. Avoid using larger amounts of this drug or using this medicine for a longer treatment period than the doctor recommended you. Vfend must be taken at least two hours before and after a main meal. If you miss a dose and it is almost the time for the next one, skip the missing dose and continue your regular schedule.