Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Use of Image Cytometry for Quantification of Pathogenic Fungi in Association with Host Cells
07:58

Use of Image Cytometry for Quantification of Pathogenic Fungi in Association with Host Cells

Published on: June 19, 2013

Imaging of opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patient

Tomás Franquet1, Ana Giménez, Alberto Hidalgo

  • 1Department of Radiology, Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Avda Sant Antoni M. Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain. 19429tfc@comb.es

European Journal of Radiology
|July 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Opportunistic fungal infections pose significant risks to immunocompromised individuals. This study analyzes chest imaging to identify key features of these infections in at-risk patients.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Radiology
  • Immunocompromised Host Research

Background:

  • Opportunistic fungal infections are a major cause of illness and death in immunocompromised patients.
  • Accurate diagnosis of pulmonary infections relies on integrating pattern recognition with clinical context.
  • Imaging plays a critical role in diagnosing and managing these infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the characteristic chest radiographic and CT findings of various opportunistic fungal infections.
  • To correlate imaging features with specific fungal pathogens in immunocompromised individuals.
  • To enhance diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary fungal infections through detailed imaging analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of chest radiographs and CT scans from immunocompromised patients with confirmed opportunistic fungal infections.
  • Detailed analysis of imaging features including nodular opacities, consolidation, cavitation, and lymphadenopathy.
  • Correlation of imaging findings with microbiological and histopathological data.

Main Results:

  • Specific imaging patterns were associated with different fungal species (e.g., Aspergillus, Candida, Pneumocystis jirovecii).
  • Chest radiography showed variable sensitivity, while CT provided more detailed anatomical information.
  • Features like halo sign, reverse halo sign, and tree-in-bud opacities were noted in specific infections.

Conclusions:

  • Chest radiography and CT imaging are essential tools for diagnosing opportunistic fungal infections in the immunocompromised.
  • Recognizing distinct imaging features aids in differentiating between various fungal pathogens.
  • Improved understanding of imaging findings can lead to earlier diagnosis and better patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus12:29

Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus

Published on: April 19, 2017

Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases03:22

Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases

Published on: March 1, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...