Fungal Infections in Gastroenterology
Journal Title: Current Trends in Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Year 2018, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Fungal infections are increasing in gastroenterology. Cirrhotic patients, liver transplantation recipients, and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are vulnerable to these infections. The origin of these fungal infections is frequently the GI tract. The advent of sequencing technology can identify now previously unculturable fungi. Dysbiosis of the mycobiome and microbiome can uncheck normal commensal fungi and turn pathogenic by largely unknown mechanisms Resistance to antifungals is becoming a global problem. New antifungals are in development and they are badly needed. In this mini-review the enteric mycobiota and fungal infections in GI disease are discussed. Fungi are normally present in the gastrointestinal tract as part of the gut microbiome. With the advent of sequencing technology microbes can be studied now that were previous non-culturable. Fungal species, also called the “silent population” are known as the mycobiome [1]. Many pathogenic fungi are commensals in our bodies that cause no harm in normal conditions, but have pathogenic potential. For example, Candida albicans, which causes systemic candidiasis in immunocompromised patients is a normal part of the gut microflora. Why these fungi can turn pathogenic is largely unknown [2]. In a recent editorial in the American Journal of Gastroenterology Brumble and Keaverny pointed to the risky business of fungal infections in patients with cirrhosis, discussing the report of Bajaj et al. [3,4]. Besides liver disease and immunocompromised patients such as in liver transplantation fungal infections occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).In this mini-review the enteric mycobiota and fungal infections in GI disease will be discussed.
Authors and Affiliations
Michael AB Naafs MD
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP570007
- DOI 10.32474/CTGH.2018.01.000114
- Views 61
- Downloads 0
The Burgeoning Role of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota
With the release of the landmark publication containing the information that there were more microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract than any other cells [1] the scientiic community began to look at the functional...
Asymptomatic Portal Cavernoma Revealing Activated Protein C Resistance
Introduction: Unlike the child, the portal cavernoma (PC) remains an exceptional and unusual complication of portal thrombosis in adults and the elderly. We report an original observation of asymptomatic PC secondary to...
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in A Scottish Population – Current Experience and the Future
Sorafenib is the current first line standard of care in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several other drugs are emerging as efficacious agents in this setting. This article will outline our current...
Eradication Failure of Helicobacter Pylori Among Children’s Population
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for the development of gastritis that may further progress to more severe conditions, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer [1,2]. H. pylori have...
An Attempt to Characterize Street Pharmaceutical Teachers Abusing Drugs and Aspect of Allergy Among Adult Men Attending Long Distance Institutions in Pune, India
In the India like all nations, drug abuse is seen as a social and health problem that has many serious implications for the physical, social, psychological and intellectual development of the victims more especially, the...