Contemporary Strategies in the Prevention and Management of Fungal Infections

Abstract

Major patient groups at risk for invasive fungal infection are found in hematology, intensive care, and abdominal surgery units. The vast majority of invasive fungal infections are candidemia, pulmonary aspergillosis, and pulmonary or sinunasal mucormycosis, the latter typically in the context of diabetes. Clinical presentation is highly variable and depends on host, fungus, and organs involved. Symptoms are unspecific and, outside of fungemia, diagnosis is established by radiographic imaging combined with microbiological, serologic, and histopathological workup. Complex prevention and management strategies have been developed, and it is recommended to follow institutional pathways to standardize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Empiric therapy; Invasive aspergillosis; Invasive candidiasis; Mucormycosis; Prophylaxis; Targeted therapy.