[Invasive fungal infection in haematology patients]

Abstract

Invasive fungal infection (IFI), caused by both yeasts and moulds, is a persistent problem, with high morbidity and mortality rates among patients on chemotherapy for haematology diseases, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Management of IFI in these types of patients has become highly complex with the advent of new antifungals and diagnostic tests, resulting in different therapeutic strategies (prophylactic, empirical, pre-emptive, and targeted). A proper assessment of the risk for IFI of each individual patient appears to be critical in order to use the best prophylactic and therapeutic approach, and to increase the survival rates. Among the available antifungals, the most frequently used are fluconazole, mould-active azoles (itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), candins (anidulafungin, caspofungin, micafungin), and amphotericin B (particularly its lipids formulations). Specific recommendations for use and the criteria for selection of antifungal agents are discussed in this paper.