WHATS NEW IN FUNGAL INFECTION IN LEUKEMIC PATIENTS

Fungal infections have become an important cause of mortality in patie nts with hematological malignancies. In recent years, fungi such as Ca ndida tropicalis, Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp and Trichosporon spp h ave emerged as important pathogens. Amphotericin B remains the antifun gal agent with the broadest spectrum of activity, although some of the newer pathogens may be resistant. The administration of this drug in lipid vehicles reduces the toxicities, permitting the administration o f higher doses that may be more effective. The new agents, fluconazole and itraconazole, have activity against some fungal pathogens, althou gh their role in therapy has not been fully determined. Fluconazole ha s been shown to be effective for prophylaxis of Candida infections.