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What Is Blood Fungus?

What is sometimes termed “blood fungus” is actually a variety of cultures of living fungi that can exist in our bloodstream. Some of these “blood” fungi are non-pathogenic, or harmless, such as Penicillium, according to the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Some, however, are disease-producing fungi, also known as “pathogens.”

  1. Definition

    • Blood fungus, also known as fungal sepsis or a “systemic fungal infection,” according to the Anaesthetist website on fungal infections, is a fungal “colonization” that starts in the bloodstream, but can spread to other parts of the body. Pathogenic blood fungus is an increasing problem in hospitals worldwide, according to a Centers for Disease Control website.

    Candida Albicans

    • One serious blood fungus pathogen is Candida albicans. According to the Centers for Disease Control website, Candidemia—a condition caused by Candida albicans—may be the fourth-biggest agent of overall bloodstream infections in the U.S.

    Aspergillus

    • Pulmonary Aspergillosis is caused when the spores of Aspergillus fungi, another pathogen, are inhaled, according to the Anaesthetist website. This condition can also develop into “Invasive Aspergillosis,” which has a high fatality rate among at-risk patients.

    At-Risk Patients

    • Those most at risk for a blood fungus infection are patients undergoing chemotherapy or who have had a bone marrow transplant, patients whose immune system is compromised and patients in intensive care units, according to the CDC website.

    Other Pathogens

    • Other blood fungus pathogens include: Candida parapsilosis, Histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis, Cryptococcus neoformans and Coccidioidomycosis, according to the Anaesthetist website.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • An accurate diagnosis is vital with blood fungus, in order to receive proper treatment; blood fungus does not respond to antibiotics and many types are also resistant to anti-fungal drugs. Anti-retrovirus therapy can help raise survival odds with blood fungus pathogens such as pulmonary Aspergillosis, according to the Anaesthetist website.

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