Diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis in patients with hematological malignancies [translated article]

Abstract

The risk of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is extremely high in patients with hematological malignancies due to the prolonged and profound neutropenia and immunosuppression after chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. There has been increasing interest in mucormycosis despite its relatively uncommon occurrence, because occasional breakthrough infections have been observed under anti-Aspergillus prophylaxis. The aggressive nature of mucormycosis easily leads to high mortality because of delays in diagnosis and incorrect treatment decisions, which are due in part to lack of adjunctive diagnostic tools and having similar clinical and radiological features with invasive aspergillosis. The only currently available antifungals against Mucorales in Japan are amphotericin B formulations. Thus, comprehensive therapeutic strategies, including surgery, should be considered to achieve a successful outcome.