Organ mycoses. How to cure organ mycoses?

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Organ (deep) mycoses are mostly included in the so-called opportunistic infections, i.e. infections caused by microorganisms that are non-pathogenic for a healthy person, but may cause disease in immunocompromised people.

Organ mycosis – types

Organ mycosis is an infection caused mainly by microorganisms that are not pathogenic in a healthy person. However, in immunocompromised patients, they can cause more serious diseases. The most common organ mycoses:

1. thrush of the urinary tract,
2. mycosis of the lungs,
3. esophageal mycosis,
4. oral mycosis,
5. vaginal mycosis (infection).

What are the most common causes of fungal infection in the body?

The causes of organ mycosis

Blood diseases such as leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, agranulocytosis, HIV infection and some endocrine diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, are particularly susceptible to developing organ mycoses (it is an excellent breeding ground for fungi). Long-term treatment with corticosteroids, antibiotics and cytostatic drugs plays an important role in the development of deep mycoses.

Conditioning factors and increasing the excessive growth of fungi in the body

Certain factors and conditions can cause the fungus to overgrow in the body. These are the most common:

1. HIV / AIDS disease, the use of chemotherapy, the use of steroids – they cause a weakening of the immune system and the development of fungi;
2. organ transplants and surgery also weaken the immune system;
3. mother-to-child transmission of a fungal infection during childbirth or during breastfeeding;
4. very young age of the patient;
5. old age of the sick person;
6. the use of certain cosmetics;
7. staying for a long period of time in polluted air.

Organ mycoses – classification

Deep mycoses are divided into exogenous organ mycoses, i.e. those that develop as a result of infection with fungi from the outside and on endogenous organ mycoses – the cause are fungi, which are common saprophytes of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract.

The most common systemic mycoses are:

• candidiasis (infection is caused by yeasts of the genus Candidaresponsible for the occurrence of about 60% of all fungal infections),

• cryptococcosis (caused by yeast-like fungi),

• aspergillosis – aspergillosis,

• mucormycosis (caused by fungi – molds).

Organ mycoses – symptoms

Organ mycoses are characterized by a variety of symptoms depending on the organ involved. They can be mildly symptomatic or run with toxic symptoms. Fungal lesions affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system. It can also develop fungal meningitis.

The most common symptoms that appear during mycosis depending on the location of the disease are:

1. trouble swallowing
2. vomiting,
3. nausea,
4. the appearance of lesions or ulcers,
5. bleeding gums
6. spots located in the throat, mouth and even on the tongue,
7. baking during micturition,
8. vaginal irritation
9. vaginal burning and the discharge of white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese,
10. diarrhea,
11. gum pain.

Diagnosis of organ mycosis

Great care should be taken, especially when it comes to endogenous mycoses. Only the entire set of clinical and radiological symptoms as well as the results of mycological and serological tests, and sometimes only a biopsy, allow for the proper diagnosis of organ mycosis.

1. Find out how to prepare for a biopsy

Organ mycosis – treatment

Treatment of organ mycosis is very difficult, as it requires first of all treatment of the underlying disease, and then fungal lesions. It should therefore be performed in a hospital setting. The doctor should diagnose other diseases related to mycosis, e.g. diabetes, so that relapse will be minimized.

Treatment of oral mycosis consists in brushing the thrush with nystatin. Patients should eat yoghurt or supplement with acidophil in order to correct the disturbed balance of microorganisms in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract.

1. Learn the causes of thrush

After the diagnosis of vaginal yeast infection, the doctor will prescribe antifungal drugs in vaginal tablets, globules or creams. Urinary tract mycosis with clinical symptoms is treated with antifungal preparations. Pharmacological agents such as fluconazole or amphotericin B have been used in therapy.

As for mycosis of the lungs, treatment is based primarily on the elimination of all potential sources of infection (e.g. drains, catheters) and pharmacotherapy lasting several weeks. Patients see, among others fluconazole, amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole and other antifungal agents.

Does organ mycosis lead to complications?

Complications of organ mycosis are especially dangerous in people who have a significantly lowered immune system.

Poorly treated or ignored mycosis can lead to the following complications:

1. meningitis,
2. nephritis,
3. the appearance of abscesses,
4. endocarditis,
5. organ failure
6. transplant rejection.

How to prevent organ mycosis?

A balanced diet and taking care of personal hygiene help reduce the risk of fungal infections in the organs. It is also important to treat diseases properly and to take the prescribed antibiotics when necessary.

1. Also read: A breakthrough in the treatment of systemic mycoses

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