Invasive fungal disease in specific at-risk patients

Hematological patients, such as patients with lymphoproliferative syndromes, pediatric patients and patients in ICU, are not conventionally classified as high risk patients for the development of IFI, however invasive fungal infections should not be underestimated. In this subset of patients, particularly patients with lymphoproliferative syndromes are classified at intermediate risk for IFI especially if treated with monoclonal antibodies, purine analogs or steroids. With regard to pediatric patients the incidence of IFD is lower than in adults and is greater in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and in allotransplant patients. Finally, in patients in ICU there is high incidence of mold and Candida. Factors associated with increased mortality is the delay in admission in intensive care units, high-dose corticosteroid therapy, and GvHD.