Abstract | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite expansion of the antifungal armamentarium over the past decade, the mortality rate for invasive fungal infections remains high in severely immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, in recent years, difficult-to-treat invasive infections caused by rare molds and yeasts have emerged in high-risk patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis or empirical treatment. Antifungal combinations are increasingly used in clinical practice to improve outcomes for refractory mycoses because of the suboptimal efficacy of current antifungal agents. Herein we review recent advances in the area of antifungal combinations in high-risk patients to separate empiricism from evidence-based medicine. RECENT FINDINGS: SUMMARY: In view of the evolving epidemiology of invasive fungal infections, combination antifungal therapy could be most valuable in preemptive management of carefully selected high-risk patients; however, this should be studied in appropriate trials.
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Authors | Georgios Chamilos, Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis |
Journal | Current opinion in infectious diseases
(Curr Opin Infect Dis)
Vol. 19
Issue 4
Pg. 380-5
(Aug 2006)
ISSN: 0951-7375 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16804387
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Antifungal Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Aspergillosis
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Candidiasis
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Empiricism
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Humans
- Immunocompromised Host
- Mycoses
(drug therapy, immunology)
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