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Zygomycosis--current epidemiological aspects

Andreas Glöckner1, Jörg J Vehreschild, Oliver A Cornely

  • 1Neurologisches Rehabilitationszentrum, Greifswald, Germany. a.gloeckner@nrz-greifswald.de

Mycoses
|March 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Zygomycosis, a rare invasive fungal infection (IFI), is increasingly seen in stem cell transplant patients. Further research is needed to confirm its rising incidence and effectiveness of antifungal prophylaxis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Zygomycoses are rare but highly fatal invasive fungal infections (IFIs).
  • A rising incidence of zygomycosis has been observed in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
  • Diagnosis is challenging, often confused with more common aspergillosis, hindering accurate incidence assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of zygomycosis in allogeneic HSCT recipients.
  • To evaluate the impact of voriconazole prophylaxis on zygomycosis rates.
  • To highlight the need for prospective trials to assess antifungal effectiveness against mould infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and trends in invasive fungal infections.
  • Analysis of changes in zygomycosis incidence in relation to voriconazole use.
  • Emphasis on the role of ongoing multicenter trials for primary prophylaxis.

Main Results:

  • Voriconazole prophylaxis has reduced aspergillosis incidence in HSCT centers.
  • Prospective data confirming an increase in zygomycosis following voriconazole introduction is lacking.
  • Factors like Graft-versus-Host-Disease (GvHD) management influence mould infection rates.

Conclusions:

  • The increasing incidence of zygomycosis in HSCT patients requires further investigation.
  • Prospective trials are crucial to determine the efficacy of mold-active antifungals and the true incidence of zygomycosis.
  • Accurate diagnosis and monitoring are essential for managing invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised populations.

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