Invasive fungal infections in hematologic malignancies: Incidence, management, and antifungal therapy

Abstract

The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) has increased in recent years as a result of increasing the incidence of hematologic malignancies (HMs). IFIs, as the opportunistic diseases, are the most important concern in these patients with a high mortality rate. These infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in HM patients and an important factor in increasing the costs of patients’ management because of the prolonged hospitalization and the inevitable need to use antifungal agents. Due to the changes in the pattern of organisms causing IFIs, unavailability of effective and safe antifungal drugs, and high rate of drug resistance as well as lack of fast and accurate diagnostic methods, these infections have become a serious and life-threatening problem necessitating effective prevention and treatment strategies using suitable antifungal agents, especially in high-risk patients. The aim of the present study was to review the pathogens causing various types of IFIs, diagnostic methods, and novel prophylactic and therapeutic antifungal regimens in HM patients according to the new published studies and clinical trials.