Rare infections of the lungs not endemic in Germany

Abstract

This article describes viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, which are not endemic and little known in Germany. Avian influenza, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the plague can all lead to severe pulmonary complications with a high mortality. In addition, there is a risk of nosocomial spread and therefore patients must always be isolated. Melioidosis, blastomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis are primarily often misclassified as community-acquired pneumonia due to typical causative organisms. A detailed anamnesis focussing on exposure in endemic areas is key to the diagnosis. Paragonimiasis is often manifested a few weeks after consumption of raw seafood and pronounced eosinophilia is typical. Relevant aspects of the epidemiology, clinical course, treatment and, if applicable, prevention are presented as cases of these diseases can occur at any time in Germany.