Fungal Infection in Lungs: Tests to Diagnose

 

Fungal Infection in Lungs: Tests to Diagnose

 

Hello Friends!

Hope you all are good and liking my previous posts. Today we will understand about various tests that are used to diagnose fungal infection in lungs. As we all know that “What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life”. When any outer body grows in lungs then person feels uneasy because it causes difficulty in breathing and chronic cough. To keep your lungs healthy always do deep breathe exercise in the morning. Let’s understand how to diagnose growth of fungal infection in lungs.

Fungal Infection in Lungs:

Fungal Infection affects both healthy and immune compromised patients and is seen in specific geographic locations around the world. Fungal infection occurs in asthmatic patients due to growth of fungus “Aspergillus Fumigatus”.

 (Also Read: Health Benefits of Turmeric)

Types of Fungal Infection:

1. Aspergillosis: Invasive fungal infection.

2. Histoplasmosis: Mainly found in America.

3. Blastomycosis: This fungus grows on dead and decaying wood.

4. Sporotrichosis: Mainly found in soil, moss, hay etc.

5. Cryptococcosis: More common in HIV or Aids patients.

6. Candidiasis: Pneumonia infection.

Various tests to diagnose fungal infection in lungs:

 

1. Complete Blood Count Test (CBC):

1.1 CBC gives information about no. of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and platelets in body.

1.2 WBCs protect body from infection. If fungal infection is there in lungs then WBCs are attacked.

1.3 Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes are also part of CBC. When Eosinophils are also higher in number then it indicates infection in lungs.

2. Chest X-ray:  

 Chest X-ray detects fungal infection in lungs. Chest X-ray shows growth of any outer body in lungs whether in upper lobe, middle lobe or lower lobe of lungs. Chest X-ray also shows chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis. It also checks any kind of inflammation in lungs.

3. Vitamin D3 Test:

3.1 Vitamin D3 keeps muscles of lungs healthy like ribs.

3.2 When patient shows symptoms of pain in ribs then doctors prescribe Vitamin D3 Test because Vitamin D3 strengthens the bones of lungs.

3.3 Vitamin D3 is a blood test. Professionals take blood sample from arm and collected it in a test tube.

3.4 Vitamin D3 test is required because sometimes fungus start eating Vitamin D.

3.5 Vitamin D3 test measures amount of Vitamin D in body.

3.6 Normal range of Vitamin D3 is 30 to 100 ng/ml.

(Also Read: Vitamin- An Essential Nutrient)

4. Total IgE Test: (By Immuno Cap Method)

4.1 Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that is produced by body’s immune system.

4.2 Immunoglobulin is normally present in blood in very small amount.

4.3 Immunoglobulins are proteins that play a key role in body’s immune system. They are produced by specific immune cells called Plasma.

4.4 Total IgE Test is used to detect allergic diseases because certain type of allergies like Asthma grows fungal balls in lungs that is Aspergillosis due to fungus Aspergillus Fumigatus.

4.5 Total IgE Test is used to detect specific type of allergen.

4.6 Total IgE Test measures the level of antibody in blood.

4.7 Total IgE Test gives better results when person do overnight fasting before test.

4.8 In this test small amount of blood is taken from the vein.

4.9 In this test mycologists separate serum from blood. When fibrinogen and protein are extracted out of plasma, the remaining plasma is known as Serum.

4.10 In asthmatic patients normally IgE level remains 1000-1100 IU/ml.

4.11 In normal patient’s normal IgE level is 400 IU/ml.

4.12 If IgE level is very high that is more than 10,000 IU/ml then antifungal medicines are prescribed by doctors.

5. CT Scan (Contrast):

 

5.1 In this special dye called contrast material is inserted in the patient by pricking needle in the hand.

5.2 Sometimes contrast material is also given orally. To get better results contrast material taken by mouth should be finished within one and half hour.

5.3 Contrast CT scan detects very small nodules in the lungs.

5.4 Contrast CT Scan gives better results than chest X-ray.

5.5 It checks growth of fungal balls in lungs whether growth is in upper lobe, middle lobe or lower lobe.

5.6 It also checks any kind of injury to ribs and inflammation.

5.7 From the shape of the fungal balls doctors detect which type of fungus is growing in lungs.

6. Sputum Test: 

Sputum fungal Smear Test is done to rule out any fungus (yeast or mold) in lungs. It is also known as KOH test. This test identifies the specific strain of fungus. Sputum is mucus. The sample is refrigerated for 24 hours to get accurate results.

Sputum Color	Disease
White or Gray	Normal
Dark Yellow or Green	Pneumonia
Yellow-Green	Cystic Fibrosis
Brown	Pneumoconioses
Pink	Tuberculosis
Bloody Sputum	Lung Cancer

 

7. Fungal Culture Test: 

This Test is used to identify specific type of fungal. It includes a microscopic examination of sample on a slide. In this test blood is taken from the vein. If fungi is found in sample it means you have a fungal infection.

8. Lung functioning Test: 

It is also known as PFT or Pulmonary Function Test. It measures size of lung and air flow. It includes pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas test. It is one type of Spirometry Test. The technologist asks you to breathe in and out of a mouth piece more than 20 times. Do not eat heavy meal before eat.

            

            Normal Range → More than 80%

           

            Abnormal Range → Less than 80%

PFT Test includes:

(i) DLCO →Diffusion capacity to carbon monoxide.

(ii) ERV →Expiratory Reserve Volume.

(iii) FVC →Forced Vital Capacity.

(iv) FEV1 →Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second.

(v) FEF 25-75 → Forced expiratory flow 25% to 75%.

(vi) FRC → Functional Residual Capacity.

(vii) MVV →Maximum Voluntary Ventilation.

(viii) RV → Residual Volume.

(ix) PEF → Peak Expiratory Flow.

(x) SVC → Slow Vital Capacity.

(xi) TLC →Total Lung Capacity.

9. Bronchoscopy: 

Under this test airways are examined. An instrument called bronchoscope is used through mouth and throat and reaches your lungs. It has camera on the end. Under this test following organs are checked to rule out fungal that is

9.1 Larynx

9.2 Trachea

9.3 Airways of Lungs

9.4 Bronchi

9.5 Bronchioles

This test is prescribed if CT scan and chest X-ray are abnormal. Local Anesthesia is needed. General Anesthesia is rarely needed in this test. Don’t eat or drink for 6-12 hours before bronchoscopy. If there is any abnormality in lungs then doctor collect sample of tissue with help of bronchoscope. If airways are blocked then Stent is used to keep airways open.

                                           While doing bronchoscopy doctors also compare it with report of CT scan to check image of fungal.

10. Biopsy: 

It is used to examine tissue removed from lungs because sometimes fungal infection becomes carcinogenic. To rule out any type of lung cancer whether benign or malignant biopsy is prescribed.

(i) Tissue Biopsy: Biopsy of Tissue collected during bronchoscopy.

(ii) Open Biopsy: It is done by surgeons and general anesthesia is given. This procedure is used when lump is removed from lungs or nearby area.

(iii) Needle Biopsy: This is done when abnormal tissue is located near the chest wall. General anesthesia is not required. Needle is inserted into lung through skin. It took 1 hour to complete the test.

  

          I hope you will like this article because fungal infection is increasing day by day due to changing environment, air pollution etc. If you feel any symptoms of fungal infection like chronic cough, fever, chest pain, pain in ribs, cough with mucus, difficulty breathing then consult with your doctor.

If you like this article then please share with your friends and family and also like my Facebook page…

Link below:

Please subscribe my Blog (Sidhuz Vlog) by click on the below "Bell Icon" for latest updates.......

Health Disclaimer

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.

The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice or other institution.