Geotrichosis
SpecialtyInfectious diseases Edit this on Wikidata

Geotrichosis is a mycosis caused by Geotrichum candidum.[1]: 311 

Human colonization and disease

Geotrichum candidum is also a frequent member of the human microbiome, notably associated with skin, sputum and feces where it occurs in 25-30% of specimens.[2][3] The fungus can cause an infection known as geotrichosis, affecting the oral, bronchial, skin and bronchopulmonary epithelia.[2] The inoculum may arise from endogenous or exogenous sources.[citation needed]

In 1847 Bennett described Geotrichum candidum causing a superinfection in the tuberculous cavity.[4][5] Bennett was able to differentiate infection by Geotrichum candidum from candidiasis, and diagnose the first case of geotrichosis. Other early medical case reports in 1916 and 1928 also described lung infections.[4] Most cases affect the bronchopulmonary tree, although other sites can be involved, such as oral mucosa and vagina.[4] Skin and gut infections are also known.[4] Reported cases of geotrichosis have been characterized with symptoms of chronic or acute bronchitis. Exogenous geotrichosis may arise from contact with contaminated soil, fruits or dairy products.[6]

Diagnosis

Laboratory culture

The diagnoses of geotrichosis cannot be determined without using culture or microscopic measurements.[5] The laboratory diagnosis of geotrichosis involves collected fungi samples areas of infections without contamination.[6] Scraping of the mouth lesions and the ulcers can provide a sample of G. candidum. Samples can also be collected from pus and mucus can be obtained from the feces.[5] Sputum can be searched for the mucoid-like white flakes for further examination.[6][5] Culturing the cylindrical barrel-shaped or elliptical fungi in considerable numbers in oral lesions is an indicator that a patient may have geotrichosis.[6] Under the microscope the fungi appears yeast-like and septate branching hyphae that can be broken down into chains or individual arthrospores. Arthrospores appear rectangular with flat or rounded ends.[3][5] Under the microscope the arthroconidia size range from 6-12μm x 3-6μm. Arthroconidia and coarse true hyphae can be observed can be observed under the microscope.[3] Another identification method for G. candidum is selective isolation method. A selection isolation method based on the fungi tolerance to novobiocin and carbon dioxide can determine if G. candidum is the cause of illness.[2]

Diagnostic imaging

X-rays can be used to examine the lung tissue, however it can not be used to positively diagnose geotrichosis. X-rays may show cavitation that is located the walls of the lungs tissues. The lung tissue resemble the early signs of tuberculosis.[5] The results of an x-ray examination of pulmonary geotrichosis presents smooth, dense patchy infiltrations and some cavities. Bronchial geotrichosis shows peribronchial thickening with fine mottling may be present on middle or basilar pulmonary fields.[4] Bronchial geotrichosis usually present itself as non-specific diffuse peribronchical infiltration.[7]

Treatment

Geotrichosis generally has a good prognosis and patients generally have successful recovery.[10] However, there is not a standard treatment for geotrichosis.[3] There are several types of antimicrobial or antifungal compounds that can be used for geotrichosis treatment.[11] Another method of treatment involves symptomatic care, bed rest, iodine therapy,[5] aerosol nystatin and amphotericin B.[4] Azole drugs including isoconazole and clotrimazole are used for geotrichosis treatment.[11] Associated treatment for pulmonary geotrichosis includes the use of potassium iodide, sulfonamides or colistin.[10] The associated asthma can be treated with desensitization and prednisolone.[10][4] Amphotericin B, clotrimazole and S-fluorocytosine have become more susceptible to G. candidum. Antimycotic resistance can appear due to repeated treatment.[11]

References

  1. ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
  2. ^ a b c Domsch, K.H.; W. Gams, W.; Andersen, T.H. (1980). Compendium of soil fungi (2nd ed.). London, UK: Academic Press. ISBN 9780122204029.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c d "Geotrichum spp". Doctor Fungus. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Rippon, John Willard (1988). Medical Mycology : The Pathogenic Fungi and the Pathogenic Actinomycetes (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. ISBN 0721624448.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Moss, Emma Sadler; A.L. McQuown (1969). Atlas of Medical Mycology (3rd ed.). Baltimore, Md: The Williams & Wilkins Company. ISBN 978-0683060867.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b c d Boutrou, R; Gueguen, M (2005). "Interests in Geotrichum candidum for Cheese Technology". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 102 (1): 1–20. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2004.12.028. PMID 15924999.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Webser, B. H. (1 March 1959). "Bronchopulmonary Geotrichosis: A Review with Report of Four Cases". Chest. 35 (3): 273–281. doi:10.1378/chest.35.3.273. PMID 13630207.
  8. ^ Bell, D; Brodie, J; Henderson, A (1962). "A Case of Pulmonary Geotrichosis". Chest. 56 (26): 26–29. doi:10.1016/s0007-0971(62)80031-x. PMID 13866795.
  9. ^ a b Vázquez-González, Denisse; Perusquía-Ortiz, Ana María; Hundeiker, Max; Bonifaz, Alexandro (2013). "Opportunistic Yeast Infections: Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, Trichosporonosis and Geotrichosis". JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 11 (5): 381–394. doi:10.1111/ddg.12097. PMID 23621330.
  10. ^ a b c Kwon-Chung, K.J.; Bennett, J.E.; Bennett, John E. (1992). Medical mycology. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger. ISBN 0812114639.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b c Pottier, I.; Gente, S.; Vernoux, J. P.; Gueguen, M. (2008). "Safety Assessment of Dairy Microorganisms: Geotrichum candidum". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 126 (3): 327–332. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2007.08.021. PMID 17869364.

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Classification
Fungal infection and mesomycetozoea
Category