Treatment and outcomes of invasive fusariosis: Review of 65 cases from the PATH Alliance® registry

David L. Horn, Alison G. Freifeld, Mindy G. Schuster, Nkechi E. Azie, Billy Franks, Carol A. Kauffman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

Summary: Invasive Fusarium infections occur in immunosuppressed patients, especially those with haematological malignancies. We conducted a descriptive analysis of data from patients with invasive fusariosis identified in the Prospective Antifungal Therapy Alliance registry, which collected data on invasive fungal infections in the United States and Canada from 2004 to 2008. In this series of 65 patients with proven (83.1%) and probable (16.9%) invasive fusariosis, the most common underlying condition was haematological malignancy, in which neutropenia and corticosteroid usage frequently occurred. Seven patients with invasive Fusarium infections had cross-reactive galactomannan assay results. The survival rate for all patients at 90 days was 44%, which was an improvement compared with historical data. Disseminated disease occurred frequently (35.4%), and patients with and without disseminated disease had survival rates of 33% and 50%, respectively. Posaconazole and voriconazole were the most frequently employed therapies and may be linked to the improved survival rate observed in this patient series. In summary, patients with invasive Fusarium infections continue to have high fatality rates, especially those with disseminated disease. Fusarium infections should be strongly considered in the absence of Aspergillus isolation in patients at high risk of mould infections with positive galactomannan assay test results.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)652-658
Number of pages7
JournalMycoses
Volume57
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2014

Keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • Fusarium
  • Invasive mould infection
  • PATH Alliance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

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