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Epidemiology of invasive mycoses in North America

Michael A Pfaller1, Daniel J Diekema

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA. michael-pfaller@uiowa.edu

Critical Reviews in Microbiology
|January 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal infections are rising, particularly in vulnerable patients. This review details North American epidemiology, risk factors, and antifungal susceptibility for key opportunistic and endemic mycoses.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Invasive mycoses incidence is increasing globally.
  • Immunocompromised and hospitalized patients are at highest risk.
  • Infections are categorized as opportunistic or endemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiologic profiles of invasive mycoses in North America.
  • To identify key risk factors for these infections.
  • To analyze antifungal susceptibility patterns of common fungal pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of invasive mycoses in North America.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data for opportunistic and endemic fungi.
  • Summary of current knowledge on risk factors and antifungal resistance.

Main Results:

  • Key opportunistic pathogens include Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and Aspergillus spp.
  • Common endemic mycoses are caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides spp., and Blastomyces dermatitidis.
  • Data on risk factors and antifungal susceptibility are presented for these agents.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors is crucial for managing invasive mycoses.
  • Antifungal susceptibility data informs treatment strategies.
  • Continued surveillance is necessary due to the expanding list of potential pathogens.

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