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- Title
Fungal Infections in Leukemia Patients: How Do We Prevent and Treat Them?
- Authors
Leventakos, Konstantinos; Lewis, Russell E.; Kontoyiannis, Dimitrios P.
- Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute or chronic leukemia. Advances in the pharmacotherapy of fungal infections and a shift in the epidemiological characteristics of fungal pathogens toward fluconazole-resistant Candida species and saprophytic molds have placed a greater emphasis on selection of broader-spectrum agents for empirical therapy of IFIs in this high-risk population. Newer diagnostic modalities, such as the Aspergillus galactomannan test, the 1,3-β-D-glucan test, and polymerase chain reaction detection of fungal DNA, may facilitate the earlier diagnosis of IFIs, but their role in detecting breakthrough infection and their usefulness as a marker to withhold antifungal therapy in high-risk leukemia patients with IFI are less obvious, especially in patients who are receiving antifungal prophylaxis. Only 2 strategies have been shown in prospective studies to improve survival from mold infection in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome: (1) preemptive initiation of antifungal therapy at first sign of invasive aspergillosis on computed tomography (CT) scan and (2) antifungal prophylaxis with posaconazole. CT-guided treatment decisions are more complex in patients with advanced leukemia, however, because of concomitant infection or relapsing malignancy. Similarly, posaconazole is often not a viable prophylaxis or treatment option in patients with poor oral intake, gastrointestinal dysfunction, or possible drug interaction (eg, proton pump inhibitor prophylaxis in patients on high-dose glucocorticosteroids). As a result, the management of IFI in patients with leukemia demands an individualized treatment plan.
- Subjects
CHRONIC leukemia; MYCOSES; COMMUNICABLE disease treatment; DISEASES; MORTALITY; DRUG therapy; CANDIDA; LEUKEMIA; ANTIFUNGAL agents; TOMOGRAPHY; POLYMERASE chain reaction; PATIENTS
- Publication
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2010, Vol 50, Issue 3, p405
- ISSN
1058-4838
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1086/649879