Search results for " Fungal infection"

Should we administer antifungal drugs before the diagnosis of invasive fungal infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients?

2016

A Comparison of Aspergillus and Mucorales PCR Testing of Different Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Fractions from Patients with Suspected Invasive Pulmo…

2018

ABSTRACT In patients with hematological malignancies, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens are commonly used for the diagnosis of mold infections. However, it is not clear whether the cell pellet (P) or the supernatant fraction (S) of the BALF specimen is optimal for molecular diagnostic testing. Thus, 99 BALF specimens were collected from 96 hematology patients with or without allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The cell pellets and supernatants were processed alone and in combination (S/P) for testing by two fungus-specific real-time PCR assays compliant with international recommendations. The results achieved with S/P were revealed to be superior in comparison to thos…

Economic evaluation of azoles as primary prophylaxis for the prevention of invasive fungal infections in Spanish patients undergoing allogeneic haema…

2016

Patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) are at risk of developing invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Even with introduction of oral triazole antifungal agents (fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole) IFI-associated morbidity and mortality rates and economic burden remain high. Despite their proven efficacy, it is currently unknown which is the most cost-effective antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) agent. To determine the costs and outcomes associated with AFP, a decision-analytic model was used to simulate treatment in a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients undergoing alloHSCT from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. …

Incidence, risk factors, and outcome of pulmonary invasive fungal disease after respiratory virus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell tra…

2019

Abstract Background There is growing evidence that community‐acquired respiratory virus (CARV) increases the risk of pulmonary invasive fungal disease (IFD) in the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) setting. To date, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the risk factors (RFs), as well as the most critical period for subsequent onset of IFD after CARV infections in allo‐HSCT recipients. Methods In this prospective longitudinal observational CARV survey, we analyzed the effect of CARV on subsequent IFD development in 287 adult allo‐HSCT recipients diagnosed with 597 CARV episodes from December 2013 to December 2018. Multiplex PCR panel assays were used to test CA…

Future challenges and chances in the diagnosis and management of invasive mould infections in cancer patients

2020

Abstract Diagnosis, treatment, and management of invasive mould infections (IMI) are challenged by several risk factors, including local epidemiological characteristics, the emergence of fungal resistance and the innate resistance of emerging pathogens, the use of new immunosuppressants, as well as off-target effects of new oncological drugs. The presence of specific host genetic variants and the patient's immune system status may also influence the establishment of an IMI and the outcome of its therapy. Immunological components can thus be expected to play a pivotal role not only in the risk assessment and diagnosis, but also in the treatment of IMI. Cytokines could improve the reliability…

Lessons from uncertainty on antifungal treatment in ICU

2017

We read with great interest the Editorial from Moghnieh et al. on the EMPIRICUS trial and antifungal use in intensive care unit (ICU) (1). Authors described nicely the trial and some background evidence on untargeted antifungal treatment in non-neutropenic critically ill patients in ICU (2,3). However, we believe that some points may be further clarified. First, it may be useful to cite the study from Knitsch et al. among those evaluating empiric antifungal treatment in ICU (4). Knitsch et al. enrolled 252 critically ill patients with localized/generalized intra-abdominal infection either of community or of nosocomial origin requiring emergency surgery.

Untargeted Antifungal Treatment Strategies for Invasive Candidiasis in Non-neutropenic Critically Ill Patients: Current Evidence and Insights

2017

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this study was to provide an overview and insights on important new concepts on untargeted antifungal treatment strategies, namely prophylaxis pre-emptive and empiric treatments for the management of invasive candidiasis (IC) in non-neutropenic critically ill patients. Recent Findings: Recently, clinical practice guidelines provided recommendation for the management of IC. However, results from recent trials and systematic reviews questioned the effect of untargeted antifungal treatment strategies, especially in terms of survival benefits in non-neutropenic patients, even with septic shock. Summary: Widespread use of untargeted antifungal treatment strategi…

What Is the Most Recent Evidence on the Prevention and Early Treatment of Invasive Fungal Infections in Nonneutropenic Critically Ill Patients?

2017

: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Candida species are the most important fungal pathogens and among the most frequent causes of infection in critically ill patients. Studies have evaluated the correlation between the onset of antifungal treatment and survival. However, definitive diagnosis of IFI is time-consuming in clinical practice. Antifungal prophylaxis and preemptive or empirical treatments are among therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat early fungal infections in selected patients. Recently, new evidence from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews has been published. Moreover, new clinical p…

Choosing the Right Antifungal Agent in ICU Patients

2019

Fungi are responsible for around 20% of microbiologically documented infections in intensive care units (ICU). In the last decade, the incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI), including candidemia, has increased steadily because of increased numbers of both immunocompromised and ICU patients. To improve the outcomes of patients with IFI, intensivists need to be aware of the inherent challenges. This narrative review summarizes the features of routinely used treatments directed against IFI in non-neutropenic ICU patients, which include three classes of antifungals: polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins. ICU patients' pathophysiological changes are responsible for deep changes in the phar…

Systematic review and mixed treatment comparison meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of primary oral antifungal prophylaxis in allogeneic hem…

2014

Background Antifungal prophylaxis is a promising strategy for reducing invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) recipients, but the optimum prophylactic agent is unknown. We used mixed treatment comparison (MTC) meta-analysis to compare clinical trials examining the use of oral antifungals for prophylaxis in alloHCT recipients, with the goal of informing medical decision-making. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole for primary antifungal prophylaxis were identified through a systematic literature review. Outcomes of interest (incidence of IFI/invasive aspergillosis/invasive can…