inhalation

Examples of inhalation in the following topics:

• Anthrax

  • Anthrax commonly infects wild and domesticated herbivorous mammals that ingest or inhale the spores while grazing.
  • By inhaling contaminated air containing anthrax spores.
  • This is known as inhalation anthrax or pulmonary anthrax and can cause serious, sometimes lethal respiratory disease.
  • In possible cases of inhalation anthrax, early antibiotic prophylaxis treatment is crucial to prevent possible death.
  • Discuss the causes and mode of transmission for anthrax including: inhalation, ingestion and direct entry through abrasions

• Legionellosis

  • Legionella transmission occurs via aerosols and infection occurs when upon inhalation of the bacteria.
  • After being inhaled, the bacteria infect the macrophages of the alveolar and exploit the host machinery to create an environment that promotes bacterial replication.
  • The bacteria can become suspended in water droplets which are then inhaled into the lungs.

• Blastomycosis

  • Infection occurs by inhalation of the fungus from its natural soil habitat.
  • Once inhaled in the lungs, Blastomycosis multiply and may disseminate through the blood and lymphatics to other organs, including the skin, bone, genitourinary tract, and brain.

• Other Fungi Involved in Respiratory Disease

  • Pulmonary sporotrichosis: This rare form of the disease occurs when S. schenckii spores are inhaled.

• Scarlet Fever

  • It is usually spread by inhalation.

• Histoplasmosis

  • The inoculum is represented principally by microconidia that, once inhaled into the alveolar spaces, germinate and then transform into budding yeast cells.
  • Histoplasmosis is not contagious, but is contracted by inhalation of the spores from disturbed soil or guano.

• Bacterial Pneumonias

  • These bacteria often live in the gut and enter the lungs when contents of the gut (such as vomit or faeces) are inhaled.

• Viral Pneumonia

  • Typically, a virus will reach the lungs by traveling in droplets through the mouth and nose during inhalation.

• Chain of Transmission

  • Microorganisms carried in this manner can be dispersed widely by air currents and may become inhaled by a susceptible host within the same room or over a longer distance from the source patient, depending on environmental factors; therefore, special air-handling and ventilation are required to prevent airborne transmission.

• Cryptococcosis

  • Cryptococcosis is believed to be acquired by inhalation of the infectious propagule from the environment.