Deep-seated Fungal Infections in Biopsy Specimens

ABSTRACT

A total of 197 cases of fungal infections in biopsy specimens obtained from the pathology file of the Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, for a period of 28 years from 1960 to 1987 were studied by histopathologic investigations with analysis of clinical records. The following results are obtained; 1) While most fungal infections increased in number, annual relative frequency of them were between 0.1% and 0.2%. 2) Among 197 cases of fungal infections, deep-seated mycosis was 175 cases (88.8%). Aspergillosis was the most common mycosis, accounting for 29.4 percent. 3) The age and sex distribution of fungal infection was even throughout the ages, but it was more common in age group over fifty, and the male was more frequently affected than the female. 4) Aspergillosis was encountered in 58 cases (29.4%) and the preferred localization was the lung. The candidiasis was seen in 48 cases (24.4%) and the preferred localization of cryptococcosis was lymph node and skin.