Mucormycosis in hematologic patients: a review
Journal Title: Nasza Dermatologia Online - Year 2011, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Most invasive fungal infections occur in patients with hematologic malignancies and the prevalence has increased steadily in recent years due to intensive cytotoxic chemotherapies, stem cell transplantation, myeloablative radiation therapy, and the use of corticosteroids, cyclosporine or new immunosuppressive agents. Although Candida is the main fungal agent involved in invasive fungal infection (IFI), an increasing number of infections are caused by molds, mostly Aspergillus spp, but in the last 20 years other emerging fungal pathogens such as Zygomycetes causing mucormycosis have appeared with higher mortality rates. The rhinocerebral and pulmonary forms of mucormycosis together with disseminated disease have the highest mortality (78-100%). Zygomycetes characteristically invade blood vessels, causing thrombosis and infarction with necrosis and scarring. Rapid diagnosis of zygomycosis is vital for management and therapy since these infections progress rapidly. Treatment should combine early aggressive surgical excision of the necrotic lesions, restoration of immune function if possible, and amphotericin B at a dose of 1-1.5 mg/kg or a new antifungal such as posaconazole.
Authors and Affiliations
Maria García-Romero, Jorge García-Méndez, Roberto Arenas
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP144868
- DOI -
- Views 85
- Downloads 0
Modern approach to facial skin defects reconstruction
Reconstruction of a facial defect is usually a challenging endeavor. The article aims to describe different types of flaps that might be used to restore such deformities- including their characteristics, indications and...
Vascular pattern of milia on dermatoscopy
-
Primary lingual tuberculosis, a rare case report
Lésion ulcérocroûteuse de l’angle interne de l’œil droit : la leishmaniose cutanée en est une cause [A crushing ulcerous lesion of the internal angle of the right eye: cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the causes]
Niger is a tropical country where leishmaniasis is endemic. The first case was reported in 1911. Leishmania major is practically the pathogen found in Niger, a country lying between 8° and 20° north latitudes from the At...
Childhood vitiligo: Clinical epidemiological profile
Objective: To study the clinical and the epidemiologic profiles of childhood vitiligo. Patients and Methods: We prospectively analyzed the clinical data of children with vitiligo presented to the dermatology derpartemen...