176 - Fungal Infections

host defenses allow varying types of infection. Candidal infections offer a clear example of this point. Granulocytes primarily prevent bloodborne candidiasis, and this becomes apparent in neutropenic patients, who are at greater risk to develop Candida-induced fungemia and sepsis. Contrast this situation with the T-cell–mediated defense that prevents mucosal Candida proliferation. This property explains why almost 90% of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have oropharyngeal colonization, and more than half develop clinical thrush. Some fungal organisms, such as Histoplasma capsulatum and Coccidioides immitis, change form during active infection of the host, and others remain exclusively in the yeast form. This adaptation allows Histoplasma and Coccidioides to infect healthy individuals.