Invasive fungal infections in patients with hematologic malignancies in a tertiary care cancer center: an autopsy study over a 15-year period (1989-2003)

Haematologica. 2006 Jul;91(7):986-9. Epub 2006 Jun 1.

Abstract

We evaluated autopsy-proven invasive fungal infections (IFI) in patients with hematologic malignancies over three periods (1989-1993, 1994-1998, and 1999-2003). The autopsy rate declined significantly (67%-34%-26%, respectively p<0.0001). IFI were identified in 314 (31%) of 1017 autopsies. Most IFI (75%) were not diagnosed antemortem. The prevalence of invasive mold infections increased significantly (19%-24%-25% p=0.05) in parallel with the emergence of Zygomycetes (0.9%-4%-3%; p=0.03). The prevalence of all other IFI remained relatively constant. Among patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, those with graft-versus-host disease had a histopathological pattern distinct from those with neutropenia. The complex and evolving epidemiology of IFI in severely immunocompromised patients is not well captured by current diagnostic methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autopsy
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / complications
  • Graft vs Host Disease / microbiology
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses / epidemiology
  • Mycoses / etiology*
  • Neutropenia / complications
  • Opportunistic Infections
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents