Immunological aspects of infections part 45

In contrast to the superficial infections of fungi, systemic infections in the immunocompromised host  have a higher mortality rate. This category includes Histoplasma capsulatum (pulmonary infection), Coccidiodes immitis (acute pneumonitis), and Cryptococcus neoformas (meningitis, lung lesions). Such systemic infections  may occur in normal individuals, and the cell mediated immune response is the more important factor in control or prevention of them. However, all of these fungal infections (superficial and systemic) are more likely to occur in immunosuppressed individuals, especially those in which the cell-mediated immune response is compromised.