Spectrum of fungal and parasitic infections on fine needle aspiration cytology

Abstract

Background The incidence many fungal and parasitic lesions are on the rise over the decades. In this study, we have analyzed the spectrum of fungal and parasitic lesions diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in a tertiary health care center. Methods This is a retrospective study conducted in the period three years and included all cases of fungal and parasitic lesions in the body (superficial and deep) identified on FNAC. Results There were total of 125 cases comprising of 59 parasitic cases and 66 fungal infections over this period. The various organisms were confirmed by special stains whenever required. In the parasitic group a cysticercosis (43), hydatid (8), filariasis (5), toxoplasmosis (1), leishmaniasis (1), and amoebiasis (1) were identified. The fungal infections included aspergillosis (36), mucormycosis (6), histoplasmosis (3), cryptococcus (4), and candidiasis (2). About a total of 15 cases were broadly classified as fungal infection only. Conclusions FNAC is an easy, reliable, and minimally invasive method to diagnose and categorize the various fungal and parasitic lesions in the body for early and definitive treatment. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:450-455.