ABSTRACT

The epidemiology patterns of fungal infections are opportunistic and endemic. The opportunistic fungi include Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Rhizopus species. Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Coccidioidomyces are the fungi more traditionally characterized as endemic fungi; these endemic mycoses may also be present in an opportunistic fashion in the immunocompromised patient. These three endemic organisms are acquired by inhalation of spores, which then transform into yeast phase at the body temperature and are found in distinctive geographical locales. However, the organisms considered as opportunistic fungi (Aspergillus, Candida, Fusarium, and Rhizopus) do not cause endemic or geographically localized diseases as they are ubiquitous throughout nature and found worldwide.