Systemic mycoses B38-B42; B49

Systemic mycoses are usually severe systemic infectious diseases with dimorphic fungi in which the pathogen infects internal organs haematogenically, usually via the lungs. Less frequently, the infection is caused by inoculation.

The following systemic fungal infections are to be expected in Europe:

• Candidiasis (B37.9)
• Mold infections (aspergillosis (B44.9), non-aspergillosis(mucormycosis (B46.5) (zygomycosis), fusariosis), cryptococcosis (B45.9)

Outside of Europe, 3 further, mostly endemic, systemic mycoses must be expected:

• Blastomycosis
• histoplasmosis
• Coccidioidomycosis

Systemic mycoses caused by facultative pathogenic fungi (yeasts and molds) and Cryptococcus neoformans cause so-called opportunistic infections in patients with immunodeficiency. These include patients with AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, long-term immunosuppressive treatment and intensive care patients.

Systemic mycoses caused by obligate pathogenic fungi (blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, Cryptococcus gatii) can also lead to infections in immunocompetent people.

Optionally pathogenic (opportunistic) fungi (yeasts and moulds) cause infectious diseases only in patients with immunological disorders (chemotherapy, long-term immunosuppressive therapies, AIDS).

Obligatory pathogenic fungi, also "primarily pathogenic" fungi, cause severe systemic mycosis even in healthy people. These include:

• blastomycosis
• Histoplasmosis
• Coccidioidomycosis

Mushrooms which are not found in Europe.