New approaches to invasive fungal infections in acute leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

Recognition and treatment of invasive fungal infections in acute leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients are important clinical challenges. New diagnostic tools, such as fungal serologic assays and high-resolution CT scans, offer the hope for earlier initiation of antifungal therapy and improved treatment results. New antifungal agents offer choices that in some cases are less toxic than older drugs and in other cases are more efficacious. Combining the new diagnostic tools with new drugs, novel strategies are being evaluated to change our approaches to these deadly infections.

Key words: Aspergillus, Candida, galactomannan assay, glucan assay, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, invasive fungal infection, targeted therapy