Nocardiosis
Nocardiosis Key Facts Etiology/Pathogenesis Nocardia asteroides Aerobic, partially acid-fast branching actinomycete Rarely measures > 1 µm in diameter Other types of Nocardia may also be the pathogenic agent Clinical Issues…
SARS Pneumonia
SARS Pneumonia Key Facts Terminology Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Etiology/Pathogenesis Etiological agent SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) SARS can be transmitted by Direct contact Droplet Airborne route Clinical Issues Symptomatology Flu-like…
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis Key Facts Terminology Lung infection caused by inhalation of Cryptococcus neoformans spores Clinical Issues Acute pulmonary infection can be asymptomatic or self-limited Progressive infection is seen in immunocompromised hosts…
Actinomycosis
Actinomycosis Key Facts Etiology/Pathogenesis Actinomyces israelii Common saprophyte of the mouth and tonsils Other types isolated from infections include A. naeslundii A. propionicus A. eriksonii Clinical Issues May involve the…
Asbestos-related Interstitial Fibrosis
Asbestos-related Interstitial Fibrosis Key Facts Terminology Asbestosis Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis secondary to inhalation of asbestos dust Etiology/Pathogenesis 2 types of asbestos fibers have been identified Serpentine Chrysotile (more common in…
Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis Key Facts Terminology Pulmonary infection caused by inhalation of fungal spores of Coccidioides immitis Clinical Issues Organism is endemic in Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America…
Metastatic Carcinoma
Metastatic Carcinoma Key Facts Clinical Issues Cough, chest pain, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and pleural effusion are most common presenting symptoms Most common primary sites: Genital, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, pancreatohepatobiliary tract,…
Overview of Malignant Pleural Neoplasms
Overview of Malignant Pleural Neoplasms Cut section of the lung in a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma shows a thick rind of whitish tumor tissue surrounding the outer surface of…
Wegener Granulomatosis
Wegener Granulomatosis Key Facts Etiology/Pathogenesis No definitive etiology is known for WG Clinical Issues Incidence More common in adults, usually in 5th decade of life Since WG is systemic and…
Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis
Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis Key Facts Terminology Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) Granulomatous lung disease secondary to inhalation of organic antigens or chemicals Etiology/Pathogenesis History of exposure to organic antigens Saccharopolyspora tectivirgula in…
