Respiratory Fungal Infections in Solid Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Respiratory fungal infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) and solid organ (SOT) transplant recipients, and are caused primarily by molds. Aspergillus is the most common pathogen. The net state of immunosuppression plays a major role in the risk of respiratory fungal infections after transplantation. Clinical presentation can be atypical and diagnosis can be delayed due to low sensitivity of diagnostic methods or inability to obtain adequate specimens. Fungal infections in HSCT and SOT carry a higher risk of dissemination. New prophylaxis strategies have changed the epidemiology of fungal infections in this patient population.

Keywords: Aspergillus; Fungal infection; Fungal pneumonia; Hematopoietic stem cell transplant; Solid organ transplant.