[Deep mycoses in leukemia and malignant lymphoma]

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Hematology
• Pathology

Context:

• Autopsy studies analyzing deep-seated mycoses in patients with hematologic malignancies.
• Data spans from 1976 to 1990, encompassing 1053 autopsies.
• Identifies mycoses as a critical complication in leukemia and lymphoma patients.

Purpose:

• To investigate the prevalence and trends of deep-seated mycoses in patients with leukemia and malignant lymphomas.
• To analyze the occurrence of fungal infections in relation to specific hematologic neoplasias and disease grades.
• To observe changes in the types of fungal infections and their potential correlation with therapeutic interventions.

Summary:

• Deep-seated mycoses were found in 17.4% of 1053 autopsies of patients with leukemia and malignant lymphomas between 1976 and 1990.
• A rising annual percentage of mycoses was observed, reaching 30% by 1990, highlighting their increasing lethality in hematologic cancers.
• Mycoses were most common in acute leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders, and more frequent in low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL).
• Aspergillosis infections became more prevalent than Candida infections in later years, suggesting an impact of antimycotic therapy.

Impact:

• Deep-seated mycoses are the most frequent lethal complication in patients with hematologic neoplasias.
• Findings indicate a shift in fungal infection patterns, with aspergillosis becoming more common than candidiasis.
• The study underscores the importance of monitoring and managing fungal infections in immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies.