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Emergence of the Molds Other than Aspergillus in Immunocompromised Patients

Sana Arif1, John R Perfect1

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, 315 Trent Drive, PO Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

Clinics in Chest Medicine
|August 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Immunocompromised patients face high risks for invasive fungal infections (IFIs). While Aspergillus is common, emerging fungal pathogens require multidisciplinary management including antifungals and surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunocompromised Host

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a significant threat to immunocompromised patients.
  • Aspergillus species are the most frequent mold-causing IFIs, but non-Aspergillus molds like Mucorales, dematiaceous molds, and Fusarium are increasing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current landscape of IFIs in immunocompromised individuals.
  • To highlight the challenges in diagnosis and management of these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on IFIs in immunocompromised patients.
  • Discussion of diagnostic modalities including fungal cultures, histopathology, and emerging PCR tests.

Main Results:

  • Sinopulmonary and disseminated infections are common presentations of IFIs.
  • Pathogenesis of many IFIs remains poorly understood.
  • Current diagnostics rely heavily on culture and histopathology; serologic markers are lacking.

Conclusions:

  • Management of IFIs is complex, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach.
  • Treatment involves surgical debridement and antifungal therapy.
  • Further research is needed to improve diagnostic tools and understand pathogenesis.
Keywords:
Dematiaceous moldFusariumImmunocompromisedLomentospora prolificansMucormycosisScedosporiumTransplant

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