PULMONARY INFECTION IN COMPROMISED HOST .1.

Abstract

Pulmonary infections in compromised hosts, i.e., patients with primary, underlying debilitating diseases or those receiving therapy that impairs infection resistance, are reviewed. Host resistance mechanisms (particularly the specific immune defect leading to infection), diagnostic procedures, epidemiological and preventative control aspects and therapy regimens are discussed in detail. Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus spp., Phycomycetes, Candida albicans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Torulopsis glabrata, Penicillium spp. and Nocardia are among the etiological agents presented.