Breakthrough Invasive Fungal Infections in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Despite the recent introduction of mold-active antifungal prophylaxis (MAP), breakthrough invasive fungal infections (b-IFI) still represent a possible complication and a cause of morbidity and mortality in hematological patients and allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation recipients (HSC...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carmine Liberatore, Francesca Farina, Raffaella Greco, Fabio Giglio, Daniela Clerici, Chiara Oltolini, Maria Teresa Lupo Stanghellini, Federica Barzaghi, Paolo Vezzulli, Elena Orsenigo, Consuelo Corti, Fabio Ciceri, Jacopo Peccatori
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/5/347
Description
Summary:Despite the recent introduction of mold-active antifungal prophylaxis (MAP), breakthrough invasive fungal infections (b-IFI) still represent a possible complication and a cause of morbidity and mortality in hematological patients and allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation recipients (HSCT). Data on incidence and type of b-IFI are limited, although they are mainly caused by non-<i>fumigatus Aspergillus</i> and non-<i>Aspergillus</i> molds and seem to depend on specific antifungal prophylaxis and patients’ characteristics. Herein, we described the clinical presentation and management of two cases of rare b-IFI which recently occurred at our institution in patients undergoing HSCT and receiving MAP. The management of b-IFI is challenging due to the lack of data from prospective trials and high mortality rates. A thorough analysis of risk factors, ongoing antifungal prophylaxis, predisposing conditions and local epidemiology should drive the choice of antifungal treatments. Early broad-spectrum preemptive therapy with a lipid formulation of amphotericin-B, in combination with a different mold-active azole plus/minus terbinafine, is advisable. The therapy would cover against rare azole-susceptible and -resistant fungal strains, as well as atypical sites of infections. An aggressive diagnostic work-up is recommended for species identification and subsequent targeted therapy.
ISSN:2309-608X