Affiliation:
1. Charité–Universtiätsmedizin Berlin Germany
2. Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute University of Delhi Delhi India
3. National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance in Fungal Pathogens, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute University of Delhi Delhi India
4. Division of Infectious Diseases American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
5. Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR) American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
Abstract
AbstractInfections are well‐known complications in patients following traumatic injuries, frequently leading to high morbidity and mortality. In particular, trauma occurring in disaster settings, both natural and man‐made, such as armed conflicts and explosives detonation, results in challenging medical conditions that impede the best management practices. The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI) is increasing in trauma patients who lack the typical risk factors like an immune compromised state or others. This narrative review will focus on IFI as a direct complication after natural disasters, wars, and man‐made mass destruction with a summary of the available evidence about the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, risk factors, microbiology, and proper management. In this setting, the clinical manifestations of IFI may include skin and soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, visceral infections, and pneumonia. IFI should be considered in the war inflicted patients who are exposed to unsterile environments or have wounds contaminated with soil and decaying organic matter.