[General epidemiology of invasive fungal disease]

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology

Background:

• Invasive mycoses pose significant health risks, particularly for immunocompromised and critically ill individuals.
• Prevalence of fungal pathogens like Candida, Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis, and Aspergillus varies by region, patient status, and healthcare setting.
• Emerging trends in fungal infections necessitate updated epidemiological data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the distribution and trends of prevalent fungal pathogens causing invasive mycoses.
• To compare the epidemiological patterns of Candida and Aspergillus infections in Spain with international data.
• To identify shifts in the frequency of specific fungal species, including azole-resistant strains.

Main Methods:

• Review of multicentre candidaemia surveys and epidemiological data on invasive mycoses.
• Analysis of species distribution for Candida and Aspergillus based on geographical and clinical factors.
• Monitoring of emerging fungal species and antifungal resistance patterns.

Main Results:

• Candida albicans is the most common cause of candidaemia in Spain, followed by C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei.
• Aspergillus spp. are the leading filamentous fungi causing invasive mycoses, with A. fumigatus being most frequent.
• Increasing isolation of Aspergillus flavus, A. nidulans, and A. terreus reported, influenced by geographic and treatment factors.

Conclusions:

• Epidemiological profiles of invasive fungal infections show regional specificities, differing from international trends.
• Shifts in the prevalence of Candida and Aspergillus species require continuous surveillance and adaptation of treatment strategies.
• Emergence of less common Aspergillus species and azole resistance underscores the need for ongoing research and monitoring.