Fungal infection in surgical pathology - Our institutional experience

Background: Fungal infection has a worldwide prevalence and it affects almost all age groups and both the sexes. Due to neoteric treatment modalities nowadays, people are enjoying longevity of life. However, on the other hand, immune status is compromised that has resulted in increased prevalence of fungal infection in society. Fungi reported by surgical pathologist, either incidentally or in clinically suspicious cases, greatly improve morbidity and outcome of the patients. Objective: The objective of this study is to study the prevalence of fungal infection in surgical pathology tissue and frequency and spectrum-based analysis in relation to age, gender, and systemic involvement. Materials and Methods: Ethically approved retrospective observational secondary data analysis is done based on histomorphological and cytomorphological evaluation of 17 fungal cases diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, New Civil Hospital, Surat, from January 2015 to January 2017. Results: Out of 17 cases, most common fungus seen was Candida albicans mainly affecting gastrointestinal tract. Common age group affected was 41–60 years and few rare fungi, i.e., mucormycosis and tinea corporis were also reported. Conclusion: Distribution of fungi in tissue section in relation to frequency, age, sex, various organs, and its correlation with clinical symptoms is analyzed in our study and results are found to be yielding that provided outlook in the prevalence of infectious agent.