Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
Invasive fungal disease in critically ill and Immunocompromised patients
Shazia Shaukat1, Irfan Ali Mirza2, Rafia Irfan1
1Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Objective:
To study the frequency and type of invasive fungal disease in critically ill and immunocompromised patients.
Method:
The prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 2017 to December 2020, and comprised pathological samples from immunocompromised and critically ill patients for fungal culture. Data regarding demographics, comorbidities, results of direct microscopy and fungal culture was recorded. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
Results:
Of the 8285 patients' specimens, 4722(57%) belonged to males and 3563(43%) to females. The mean age of the patients was 48.32±5.42 years (range: 14-98 years). Out of total 8285, 3465(41.82%) were related to blood, 2640(32%) endobronchial washing, 837(10%) sputum, 623(7.5%) tissue, 332(4%) body fluids, 288(3.5%) bronchoalveoar lavage and 100(1.2%) cerebrospinal fluid. Aspergillus flavus (20.7%) and candida albicans (14.5%) were the two most commonly isolated fungal species.
Conclusions:
A high index of suspicion for invasive fungal disease should be maintained in immunocompromised and critically ill patients.
Related Concept Videos
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
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 Zygomycota
Pneumonia I: Introduction
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...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...

