What is the Difference Between Systemic and Opportunistic Mycoses?

The main difference between systemic and opportunistic mycoses lies in the type of fungal pathogens involved and the host conditions required for infection.

Systemic mycoses are fungal infections that affect internal organs, such as lungs, abdominal viscera, bones, and the central nervous system. They can be caused by both primary fungal pathogens and opportunistic fungal pathogens.

Opportunistic mycoses are a type of systemic mycoses caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens. These infections occur in debilitated patients whose normal defense mechanisms are compromised due to factors such as cancer, organ transplantation, surgery, and AIDS. Opportunistic fungi require a compromised host to establish infection.

In summary:

Systemic mycoses are fungal infections affecting internal organs.
Opportunistic mycoses are a type of systemic mycoses caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens and occur in compromised hosts.

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What is the Difference Between Systemic and Opportunistic Mycoses?

Comparative Table: Systemic vs Opportunistic Mycoses

Here is a table summarizing the differences between systemic and opportunistic mycoses:

Feature	Systemic Mycoses	Opportunistic Mycoses
Definition	Fungal infections that affect internal organs	A type of systemic mycoses caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens
Causative Factors	Primary fungal pathogens or opportunistic fungal pathogens	Opportunistic fungal pathogens
Risk Factors	Immunocompromised individuals, very young and old people, patients with cancers, diabetes, etc.	Patients with compromised host defense mechanisms, such as those with AIDS, organ transplantation, surgery, and cancer
Infection	Systemic infection affecting organs like lungs, abdominal viscera, bones, and central nervous system	Target individuals with weakened immune systems, requiring a compromised host to establish infection

Systemic mycoses are fungal infections that affect internal organs, while opportunistic mycoses are a type of systemic mycoses that specifically target individuals with weakened immune systems. Opportunistic fungal pathogens require a compromised host to establish infection, and they cause diseases in individuals with compromised host defense mechanisms.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.