USE OF MACROPHAGE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR IN THE TREATMENT OF FUNGAL-INFECTIONS

Management of fungal infections is a major medical problem. The risk o f developing a fungal infection is higher for patients who are undergo ing dose-intensive therapy, are immunocompromised, have neutropenia, a re receiving prophylactic antibiotics, have other infections, have inv asive catheters, or have a history of severe trauma or burns. Survival is decreased among patients who develop fungal infection in these sit uations. In view of the high morbidity and mortality associated with f ungal infections in transplant recipients, cytokines that enhance cell function, such as macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), have been investigated. M-CSF enhances cytotoxicity, superoxide production, phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and secondary cytokine production in monocy tes and macrophages. Animal models and clinical data suggest efficacy of M-CSF in controlling fungal infection.