ANTIMYCOTIC PROPHYLAXIS IN NEUTROPENIC AN D IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS

Fungal infections are of increasing importance in severely neutropenic and immunosuppressed patients because of their high incidence and the ir high mortality once systemic dissemination has occurred. Various pr ophylactic strategies have been developed that include environmental m easures as well as topical and systemic antimycotic prophylaxis. In th is review the causative pathogens and patients at risk for developing fungal infections will be identified. Specific strategies will be disc ussed for each patient population and suggestions made for areas of fu ture research.