Changes in the epidemiological landscape of invasive mould infections and disease. 2017

Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Schöpfstraße 41, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

Although a wide variety of pathogens are associated with invasive mould diseases, Aspergillus spp. have historically been one of the most common causative organisms. Most invasive mould infections are caused by members of the Aspergillus fumigatus species complex and an emerging issue is the occurrence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus, with resistance to amphotericin B documented in other Aspergillus spp. The epidemiology of invasive fungal disease has shifted in recent years as non-A. fumigatus Aspergillus spp. and other moulds have become progressively more important, although there are no consolidated data on the prevalence of less common species of moulds. The incidence of mucormycosis may have been underestimated, which is a potential concern since species belonging to the order Mucorales are more resistant to antifungal agents than Aspergillus spp. All species of Mucorales are unaffected by voriconazole and most show moderate resistance in vitro to echinocandins. Fusarium spp. may be the second most common nosocomial fungal pathogen after Aspergillus in some tertiary hospitals, and show a susceptibility profile marked by a higher level of resistance than that of Aspergillus spp. Recently, Scedosporium aurantiacum has been reported as an emerging opportunistic pathogen, against which voriconazole is the most active antifungal agent. Other mould species can infect humans, although invasive fungal disease occurs less frequently. Since uncommon mould species exhibit individual susceptibility profiles and require tailored clinical management, accurate classification at species level of the aetiological agent in any invasive fungal disease should be regarded as the standard of care.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009090 Mucorales An order of zygomycetous fungi, usually saprophytic, causing damage to food in storage, but which may cause respiratory infection or MUCORMYCOSIS in persons suffering from other debilitating diseases. Mucoraceae,Thamnidiaceae
D009091 Mucormycosis Infection in humans and animals caused by any fungus in the order MUCORALES (e.g., RHIZOPUS; MUCOR; CUNNINGHAMELLA; APOPHYSOMYCES; ABSIDIA; SAKSENAEA and RHIZOMUCOR) There are many clinical types associated with infection including central nervous system, lung, gastrointestinal tract, skin, orbit and paranasal sinuses. In humans, it usually occurs as an OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION. Mucorales Infection,Mucorales Infections,Mucormycoses,Infection, Mucorales,Mucormycose
D005670 Fusarium A mitosporic Hypocreales fungal genus, various species of which are important parasitic pathogens of plants and a variety of vertebrates. Teleomorphs include GIBBERELLA. Fusariums
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072742 Invasive Fungal Infections Mycoses which manifest as infections of deep tissue or blood. Disseminated Fungal Infection,Invasive Mycoses,Disseminated Fungal Infections,Fungal Infection, Disseminated,Fungal Infection, Invasive,Infection, Disseminated Fungal,Infection, Invasive Fungal,Invasive Fungal Infection,Mycoses, Invasive
D000935 Antifungal Agents Substances that destroy fungi by suppressing their ability to grow or reproduce. They differ from FUNGICIDES, INDUSTRIAL because they defend against fungi present in human or animal tissues. Anti-Fungal Agents,Antifungal Agent,Fungicides, Therapeutic,Antibiotics, Antifungal,Therapeutic Fungicides,Agent, Antifungal,Anti Fungal Agents,Antifungal Antibiotics
D001228 Aspergillosis Infections with fungi of the genus ASPERGILLUS. Aspergillus Infection,Aspergilloses,Aspergillus Infections,Infection, Aspergillus,Infections, Aspergillus
D001232 Aspergillus fumigatus A species of imperfect fungi from which the antibiotic fumigatin is obtained. Its spores may cause respiratory infection in birds and mammals. Aspergillus fumigates,Neosartorya fumigata,Sartorya fumigata
D016867 Immunocompromised Host A human or animal whose immunologic mechanism is deficient because of an immunodeficiency disorder or other disease or as the result of the administration of immunosuppressive drugs or radiation. Immunosuppressed Host,Immunocompromised Patient,Host, Immunocompromised,Host, Immunosuppressed,Hosts, Immunocompromised,Hosts, Immunosuppressed,Immunocompromised Hosts,Immunocompromised Patients,Immunosuppressed Hosts,Patient, Immunocompromised,Patients, Immunocompromised
D060585 Fusariosis OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS with the soil fungus FUSARIUM. Typically the infection is limited to the nail plate (ONYCHOMYCOSIS). The infection can however become systemic especially in an IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST (e.g., NEUTROPENIA) and results in cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions, fever, KERATITIS, and pulmonary infections. Disseminated Fusariosis,Fusarium Infection,Invasive Fusariosis,Invasive Pulmonary Fusariosis,Pulmonary Fusariosis,Disseminated Fusarioses,Fusarioses,Fusarioses, Disseminated,Fusarioses, Invasive,Fusarioses, Invasive Pulmonary,Fusarioses, Pulmonary,Fusariosis, Disseminated,Fusariosis, Invasive,Fusariosis, Invasive Pulmonary,Fusariosis, Pulmonary,Fusarium Infections,Infection, Fusarium,Infections, Fusarium,Invasive Fusarioses,Invasive Pulmonary Fusarioses,Pulmonary Fusarioses

Related Publications

Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
January 2018, The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
March 2017, The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
January 2014, Revista iberoamericana de micologia,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
March 2017, The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
March 2011, Early human development,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
February 2003, Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
January 2006, Mycoses,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
March 2017, The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
January 2009, Medical mycology,
Cornelia Lass-Flörl, and Manuel Cuenca-Estrella
January 2011, The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy,
Copied contents to your clipboard!