Aim: Pulmonary mycosis is a critical health issue with increasing morbidity and mortality internationally, especially in developing nations. We aim to study patients with pulmonary mycosis presenting to respiratory and medicine department in a tertiary care centre from February 2012-2013.

Material and Method: This is a prospective study of patients with pulmonary mycosis in a tertiary care centre. 56 patients with confirmed fungal sub-culture have been included. Study was done with the objective of assessing the epidemiology, clinical profile, associated co-morbidities and culture isolate pattern of pulmonary mycosis.

Result: Mean age group of our patient was 52.36 ±14.55 years. Pulmonary mycosis occurred in the setting of pre-existing lung disease in 64.28% of patients. Mycosis in naïve lung and with no immunocompromised condition was seen in 17.86% while 73.21% patients had an underlying lung disease or an immunocompr-omised status. Of the total patients, 23.21 % were diabetics, 5.35% had been having hematological malignancies, and 10.71% with autoimmune connective tissue disorders on steroids and 1.78% with retroviral disease. Our records suggest fungal culture isolates with prevalence of candida albicans (69.6%), candida krusei (12.5%), candida glaberata (10.7%), candida tropicalis (5%) and aspergillus fumigatus (5%).

Conclusion: Pulmonary mycosis is a challenging hassle in developing countries. Though, it is found usually in patients with underlying structural lung disease and immune-compromised hosts, a high index of clinical suspicion should be kept even in people with no obvious risk factors as primary pulmonary mycosis incidence in naïve lung is on rise. Our study also emphasizes the role of early bronchoscopy and lavage cultures for early diagnosis and more precise treatment for pulmonary mycosis.

Keywords: Pulmonary mycosis; diagnosis; culture isolate; risk factors.

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Dr Vishak Acharya. K

Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal University

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