Fungi fungal infections

Three fungal infections - Madura feet (mycetoma), chromomycosis and sporotrichosis - fall into the category of subcutaneous mycoses, their distribution is mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. The ideal treatment for madura feet caused by fungi is not yet established the azoles are of some benefit, however, neither the optimal drug, dose, nor the treatment schedules are known. Chromomycosis responds well to ITRA monotherapy or the combination of 5FC plus ITRA. ITRA has been set up as standard therapy for cutaneous and lymphatic sporotrichosis. 

Amphotericin B, is a polyene antibiotic, used in the therapy of systemic fungal infections. Its mode of action exploits differences in membrane composition between the pathogen and the human host. Ergosterol, the predominant sterol of fungi, plants, and some protozoan parasites, interacts with Amphotericin B, resulting in an increased ion permeability of the membrane. Humans contain cholesterol, which has a low affinity for amphotericin B. 

Fungal infections range from superficial skin infections to fife-threatening systemic infections. Systemic fungal infections are serious infections that occur when fungi gain entrance into the interior of the body. 

A fungus is a colorless plant that lacks chlorophyll. Fungi that cause disease in humans may be yeastlike or moldlike the resulting infections are called mycotic infections or fungal infections. 

The diagnosis of endemic fungal infections is often prompted by a patient history of prolonged (subacute) infectious symptoms, travel or residence in an endemic area, and/or participation in activities that result in exposures to soil contaminated by endemic fungi. 

Fungal infections are rarely transmitted directly from person to person. Fungi are derived from the commensal flora of the patient or from animal and innate sources in the environment, and are inoculated by (micro)trauma, ingestion or inhalation of spores. The incidence of invasive fungal infections among hospitalized patients has increased primarily due to the introduction of medical interventions that compromise the natural defenses of the patients. 

Amphotericin B is used to treat systemic disseminated fungal infections caused by Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, and the invasive dimorphic fungi Aspergillus spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immi-tis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Sporothrix schenckii). Intravenous amphotericin B remains the treatment of choice for serious invasive fungal infections unresponsive to other agents. 

It is used orally for intestinal candidiasis, topically for oral, vaginal and cutaneous candidiasis and hospital treatment of progressive and potentially fatal systemic fungal infections. It is the gold standard of antifungal therapy. Flucytosine has supraadditive action with amphotericin B if the fungi is sensitive to both. It is also potentiated by rifampicin and minocycline. 

Terbinafine Inhibits epoxidation of squalene in fungi increased levels are toxic to them Reduces ergosterol prevents synthesis of fungal cell membrane Mucocutaneous fungal infections Oral t duration, days Toxicity Gastrointestinal upset, headache, hepatoxicity t Interactions None reported... 

The treatment of superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophytic fungi may be accomplished (1) with topical... 

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