Objectives: Invasive fungal disease (IFD) remains a major concern in patients with haematological conditions. We describe diagnoses, therapeutic management and outcomes in unselected consecutive patients from haematological facilities treated for suspected or documented IFD.
Methods: In this observational prospective study, children/adults with haematological conditions or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were recruited upon start of non-prophylactic systemic antifungal treatment in 37 French haematological facilities (December 2007 to December 2008). IFD episodes were classified according to the 2008 EORTC/MSG criteria.
Results: The cohort included 419 patients (298 adults and 121 children): 88% haematological malignancies, 28% HSCT recipients and 68% neutropenic. Patients had 423 IFD episodes: 21% mycologically documented (59% probable/proven aspergillosis, 32% proven candidiasis and 9% probable/proven other IFD) and 20% classified as possible IFD. The remaining cases were assigned to two groups: febrile neutropenia (34%) and unclassified (25%), 9% of which were classified as possible/probable/proven IFD by day 7. Treatment was thus initiated early in 59% of patients; liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin were the most common single-agent therapies. The 12 week mortality was 18% for probable/proven aspergillosis, 15% for proven candidiasis, 10% for probable/proven other IFD, 9% for possible IFD, 3% for febrile neutropenia and 12% for unclassified episodes (log rank P = 0.016); it was dependent on age, complete remission of underlying haematological disease and mechanical ventilation.
Conclusions: In this comprehensive sample of haematological patients receiving antifungal treatment, we observe a widespread resort to early therapy and a low mortality rate, including in patients with probable or proven IFD.