Fungal Infections of the Stem Cell Transplant Recipient and Hematologic Malignancy Patients

Abstract

Despite advances in chemotherapy and supportive care, morbidity and mortality remain high for patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs). Those who require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) often require significant immunosuppression and are subject to a variety of complications. These patients carry multiple risk factors for infectious complications, including the development of invasive fungal infections, compared with the general population. Because antifungal prophylaxis has been widely adopted, there has been a shift away from invasive candidiasis toward invasive mold infections, including breakthrough infections. For patients with HM and HSCT, we outline the epidemiology, manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of invasive fungal infections.

Keywords: Aspergillosis; Candidiasis; Fungal infections; Hematologic malignancies; Hematopoietic stem cell transplant; Mucormycosis.