Infectious disease clinics of North America
-
Zygomycosis, an uncommon but frequently fatal mycosis caused by fungi of the class Zygomycetes, develops most commonly as an opportunistic disease. Successful therapy involves a combined approach based on early diagnosis, prompt institution of medical therapy, and extensive surgical debridement of all devitalized tissue. Given the rarity of this condition, novel therapeutic strategies have been limited and only tested on an individual basis. The use of high-dose lipid formulations of amphotericin B, prompt reversal of the underlying predisposing condition, and hyperbaric oxygen are the most common strategies that have shown potential value in the treatment of zygomycosis.
-
Less common and emerging fungal pathogens are often resistant to conventional antifungal therapy and may cause severe morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Some Scedosporium species may be completely resistant to antifungal therapy. Hyaline septated filamentous fungi, such as Fusarium species, Acremonium species, Paecilomyces species, and Trichoderma species, are increasingly reported as causing invasive mycoses refractory to amphotericin B therapy. ⋯ Trichosporon spp are resistant to the fungicidal effects of amphotericin B. An increasing number of different members of the class Zygomycetes are reported as causing lethal infections, despite aggressive medical and surgical interventions. Infections due to these and other less common and emergent fungal pathogens will likely continue to develop in the settings of selective anti-fungal pressure, permissive environmental conditions, and an expanding population of immunocompromised hosts.