Does anyone know anything about histoplasmosis?
359902
Histoplasmosis [his-toh-plaz-MOH-sis] is a fungal infection that varies in symptoms and seriousness. \nHistoplasmosis usually affects the lungs and causes a short-term, treatable lung infection. When it affects other parts of the body, it is called disseminated histoplasmosis. Disseminated histoplasmosis can be fatal. \nThe histoplasmosis fungus lives in soil, especially soil that is enriched with bat or bird droppings. \nPeople get histoplasmosis when they breathe in dust that contains the fungus. \nHistoplasmosis is treatable with fungus-killing medicines. \nTo prevent histoplasmosis: 1) avoid exposure to dust from soil that might be contaminated with bat or bird droppings, and 2) avoid disturbing accumulations of bat or bird droppings. \n Histoplasmosis is an infection that varies in symptoms and seriousness. It usually affects the lungs. When it affects other parts of the body, it is called disseminated histoplasmosis.\n\nHistoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus. The fungus produces spores that can be inhaled when they get into the air. Spores are hardy forms of the fungus that can live in the environment for a long time.\nThe histoplasmosis fungus is found throughout the world. The fungus grows naturally in soil in some areas of the United States, mostly in the midwestern and southeastern states and along the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. It thrives in soil that is enriched with bat or bird droppings\n\nMost infected persons have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they vary widely, depending on the form of the disease.\n\nThe lung infection can be short-term (acute) and relatively mild, or it can be long-term (chronic) and serious. Symptoms of the acute lung infection are tiredness, fever, chills, chest pains, and a dry cough. The chronic lung infection is like tuberculosis and occurs mostly in persons who already have lung disease. It can progress over months or years and can scar the lungs.\n\nDisseminated histoplasmosis results in a variety of serious symptoms and can involve all body organs. The liver and spleen usually become enlarged, and sores in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract can develop. Disseminated histoplasmosis can be fatal.\nSymptoms of acute disease usually appear in 5 to 18 days (usually 10 days) after exposure\nDiagnosis can be made by laboratory culture or a blood test. A skin test is available but is useful only for outbreak investigations, not for diagnosis\nAcute histoplasmosis can keep getting worse or can become chronic. Acute histoplasmosis can also spread from the lungs to other organs and lead to the disseminated form of the disease, especially in persons with weakened immune systems.\nPersons with mild disease usually get better on their own. Severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease are treated with fungus-killing medicines.
940190
Sounds like ring worm to me. Your MD will probably prescribe an anti-fungal cream
151330
Have you tried http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page they have info about anything.
1163244
Never heard of it.  Call some of the Doctors/Hospitals that would be used and ask them about it.
154008
BackFact Sheet\nToxoplasmosis\n(TOX-o-plaz-MO-sis)\n\n\n\n    * What is toxoplasmosis?\n    * How do people get toxoplasmosis?\n    * What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis?\n    * Who is at risk for developing severe toxoplasmosis?\n    * What should I do if I am at risk for severe toxoplasmosis?\n    * What should I do if I think I may have toxoplasmosis?\n    * What is the treatment for toxoplasmosis?\n    * How can I prevent toxoplasmosis?\n    * Am I able to keep my cat?\n    * Once infected with Toxoplasma is my cat always able to spread the infection to me? \n\n \nWhat is toxoplasmosis?\n\nA single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis. While the parasite is found throughout the world, more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite. Of those who are infected, very few have symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems.\n\n\nHow do people get toxoplasmosis?\n\nA Toxoplasma infection occurs by:\n\n    * Accidentally swallowing cat feces from a Toxoplasma-infected cat that is shedding the organism in its feces. This might happen if you were to accidentally touch your hands to your mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat's litter box, or touching anything that has come into contact with cat feces. Eating contaminated raw or partly cooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison; by touching your hands to your mouth after handling undercooked meat.\n    * Contaminating food with knives, utensils, cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw meat.\n    * Drinking water contaminated with Toxoplasma.\n    * Receiving an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion, though this is rare. \n\n\nWhat are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis?\n\nSymptoms of the infection vary.\n\n    * Most people who become infected with Toxoplasma are not aware of it.\n    * Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel as if they have the "flu" with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that last for a month or more.\n    * Severe toxoplasmosis, causing damage to the brain, eyes, or other organs, can develop from an acute Toxoplasma infection or one that had occurred earlier in life and is now reactivated. Severe cases are more likely in individuals who have weak immune systems, though occasionally, even persons with healthy immune systems may experience eye damage from toxoplasmosis.\n    * Most infants who are infected while still in the womb have no symptoms at birth, but they may develop symptoms later in life. A small percentage of infected newborns have serious eye or brain damage at birth. \n\n\nWho is at risk for developing severe toxoplasmosis?\n\nPeople who are most likely to develop severe toxoplasmosis include:\n\n    * Infants born to mothers who became infected with Toxoplasma for the first time during or just before pregnancy.\n    * Persons with severely weakened immune systems, such as individuals with HIV/AIDS, those taking certain types of chemotherapy, and those who have recently received an organ transplant. \n\n\nWhat should I do if I think I am at risk for severe toxoplasmosis?\n\nIf you are planning to become pregnant, your health care provider may test you for Toxoplasma. If the test is positive it means you have already been infected sometime in your life. There usually is little need to worry about passing the infection to your baby. If the test is negative, take necessary precautions to avoid infection (See below).\n\nIf you are already pregnant, you and your health care provider should discuss your risk for toxoplasmosis. Your health care provider may order a blood sample for testing.\n\nIf you have a weakened immune system, ask your doctor about having your blood tested for Toxopla
372719
go to wikipedia and look up minimata disease
485156
============================================================\nAspergillus niger is a fungus and one of the most common species of the genus Aspergillus. It causes black mold on certain types of fruit and vegetables, and is a common contaminant of food. It is one of the common molds known to produce aflatoxin.\n============================================================\n\n\nClinical Features \n\nIn immunosuppressed hosts: invasive pulmonary infection, usually with fever, cough, and chest pain. May disseminate to other organs, including brain, skin and bone. In immunocompetent hosts: localized pulmonary infection in persons with underlying lung disease. Also causes allergic sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary disease. \n\nEtiologic Agent\n\n Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus. Less commonly A. terreus, A. nidulans, A. niger. \n\n\nReservoir \n\nUbiquitous in the environment. Found in soil, decomposing plant matter, household dust, building materials, ornamental plants, items of food, and water. \n\nIncidence \n\nNot reportable. Population-based data available for San Francisco suggest a rate of 1-2 per 100,000 per year. \n\n \nSequelae \n\nIf severe granulocytopenia persists, mortality rate can be very high (up to 100% in patients with cerebral abscesses). Patient outcome depends on resolution of granulocytopenia and early institution of effective antifungal drug therapy. \n\n \nTransmission \n\nInhalation of airborne conidia (spores). Nosocomial infection may be associated with dust exposure during building renovation or construction. Occasional outbreaks of cutaneous infection traced to contaminated biomedical devices. \n\nRisk Groups \n\nPersons with severe, prolonged granulocytopenia (e.g., hematologic malignancy, hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients, and patients on high-dose corticosteroids). Rarely, persons with HIV infection. \nSurveillance No national surveillance exists. Active surveillance is being conducted among hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients in selected U.S. hospitals. \n\n \nChallenges \n\nIdentifying modifiable risk factors for disease in immunocompromised persons. Improving understanding of sources and routes of transmission from the environment. Developing sensitive and specific methods for earlier diagnosis.\n \nOpportunities \n\nDevelopment of rapid antigenemia and antigenuria tests and molecular probes may facilitate earlier clinical diagnosis. Availability of improved molecular typing methods may assist in epidemiologic studies.
1050431
Ringworm of the body is one of several forms of ringworm, a fungal infection that develops on the top layer of your skin. It's characterized by an itchy, red circle of rash with healthy looking skin in the middle.\n\nAlso called tinea corporis, ringworm of the body is closely Ringworm of the body is one of several forms of ringworm, a fungal infection that develops on the top layer of your skin. It's characterized by an itchy, red circle of rash with healthy looking skin in the middle.\n\nringworm affects your arms legs trunk and face.\n\nThe signs and symptoms of ringworm include:\n\nA circle of rash on your skin that's red and inflamed around the edge and healthy looking in the middle \nSlightly raised expanding rings of red, scaly skin on your trunk or face \nA round, flat patch of itchy skin \nMore than one patch of ringworm may appear on your skin, and patches or red rings of rash overlap.you can have ringworm without the red ring.treatment..For a mild case of ringworm, your doctor may advise you to apply an over-the-counter antifungal ointment, lotion, powder or spray. Most infections respond well to these topical agents, which include:\n\nClotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex) \nMiconazole (Micatin) \nTerbinafine (Lamisil) \nIf ringworm is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter medicine, you may need a prescription-strength topical or oral medication. These include topical econazole,,miconazole.oxiconazole...oral.....itrazonale,,fluconazle,,,
693283
I don't know off the top of my head, but try looking here. It has loads of good and useful virology info.\nhttp://www-micro.msb.le.ac.uk/
219552
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytophthora
387796
I work for an eye doctor.  We have been in contact almost every day with our Sales Rep from Bausch & Lomb (the company that makes ReNu).  They have advised us not to hand out the solution for the time being.  The Center for Disease Control is investigating the cases reported and trying to discover the cause.  They discovered that the infected patients have all been using the ReNu Solution, but no direct cause has been determined yet.  The CDC has NOT specifically accused B&L for the outbreak but have asked them to halt production and distribution for the time being.  This fungus is extremely rare and only about 50 actual cases of it have been reported.  I think it is important to note that ReNu has been using "Moisture Loc" in their solution for years.  The FDA never approved it until now so that's why they never advertised it and changed the labels on their bottles.  So the actuality of this particular solution causing the fungus is highly unlikely since the same solution has existed for several years now.  However, you should be cautious and proper contact lens care should be used when cleaning and handling your lenses.  Always wash your hands before putting them in and taking them out.  Always use a lens solution that has disinfecting properties.  Sterile saline cleans, but does not disinfect.  This particular fungus does cause permanant eye damage.  If you think you have symptoms, you should consult your eye doctor immediately.  Some symptoms include:\nSudden Vision Loss\nCloudiness\nRed and Irritated Eyes\nPain or Pressure\nAlso, if you are actually diagnosed, be sure that your doctor reports your case to the CDC and B&L.  Please pass this information along and encourage people to consult their eye doctors if they have questions.  Calling B&L directly is not effective and is not recommended.
1141287
http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/Diseases/rosaidorfmandisease.htm
40602
I think maybe you're asking about MRSA.  Here is some info on it:\n\nhttp://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/communicable_diseases/en/mrsa.htm
253889
There is a really knowledgeable mycologist at the U of Alberta by the name of Randy Currah.  He is quite well known, but I don't know if he's THE keading mycologist.  By the way, the fungi is redundant.  Mycologists study fungi.  Check out the link below!  Good luck
1176831
i think human diseases r interesting. besides that, how bout healing properties of some tradisional herbs/plants? i'm currently working on pathogenic bacteria. maybe u can try to look into pathogens too? since pathogen like SARS, avian influenza and HIV are emerging problems for mankind... most importantly, which area r u interested?
800561
Never heard of it and a web search shows no results...:(
412108
I work for an eye doctor.  We have been in contact almost every day with our Sales Rep from Bausch & Lomb (the company that makes ReNu).  They have advised us not to hand out the solution for the time being.  The Center for Disease Control is investigating the cases reported and trying to discover the cause.  They discovered that the infected patients have all been using the ReNu Solution, but no direct cause has been determined yet.  The CDC has NOT specifically accused B&L for the outbreak but have asked them to halt production and distribution for the time being.  This fungus is extremely rare and only about 50 actual cases of it have been reported.  I think it is important to note that ReNu has been using "Moisture Loc" in their solution for years.  The FDA never approved it until now so that's why they never advertised it and changed the labels on their bottles.  So the actuality of this particular solution causing the fungus is highly unlikely since the same solution has existed for several years now.  However, you should be cautious and proper contact lens care should be used when cleaning and handling your lenses.  Always wash your hands before putting them in and taking them out.  Always use a lens solution that has disinfecting properties.  Sterile saline cleans, but does not disinfect.  This particular fungus does cause permanant eye damage.  If you think you have symptoms, you should consult your eye doctor immediately.  Some symptoms include:\nSudden Vision Loss\nCloudiness\nRed and Irritated Eyes\nPain or Pressure\nAlso, if you are actually diagnosed, be sure that your doctor reports your case to the CDC and B&L.  Please pass this information along and encourage people to consult their eye doctors if they have questions.  Calling B&L directly is not effective and is not recommended