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All Diseases > Dimorphic fungi
Dimorphic fungi
Disease Category: Fungal Diseases
Dimorphic fungi, which are predominantly endemic mycoses that have a distinct geographic distribution, include, but are not limited to, pathogens from the genera Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Coccidioides. These pathogens can result in self-limiting illnesses in otherwise healthy individuals but cause severe disease in immunocompromised patients. Although data are limited, prior small case series of immunocompromised pediatric cancer patients with histoplasmosis suggest that the diagnosis is often delayed, the clinical presentation is frequently disseminated disease, and the infection can result in delays in definitive therapy for the underlying cancer. The overall paucity of data for outcomes of endemic mycoses, in particular for pediatric immunocompromised patients, means there is lack of clarity on optimal therapeutic approaches and therapy durations.