AEGiS-GMHC: A Review of Fungal Infections in HIV Disease

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

A Review of Fungal Infections in HIV Disease

Gay Men's Health Crisis Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 7 - October, 1991
Gabriel Torres, M.D.

THRUSH: Candida albicans is a fungus that causes thrush, a condition otherwise known as candidiasis. This condition can appear in a variety of places in the body. Oral thrush appears as creamy white or yellow patches in the mouth, red splotches on the roof of the mouth, or cracks at the corners of the mouth. Candidiasis can also occur in the vagina in women, and appear as an odorous, white, creamy infection, and around the anal area in both men and women.

CRYPTOCOCCUS: Cryptococcus meoformans is a one-celled yeast which can cause infection that can lead to inflammation of the lining of the brain, a serious condition known as cryptococcal meningitis (CM). CM occurs in approximately 10% of all AIDS patients and is fatal in nearly 60% of those infected. The usual symptoms may include headaches, altered mental status, fever and seizures.

HISTOPLASMOSIS: Histoplasma capsulatum is the yeast that causes histoplasmosis, an infection which may affect many parts of the body, including lungs, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Symptoms include cough, fever and general malaise. This infection seems to occur more commonly in the southeastern, mid- atlantic and midwestern states in the U.S. and in the Caribbean.

(For more information on fungal infection and prophylaxis see Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 2.)

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