Use of macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of fungal infections.

Abstract

Management of fungal infections is a major medical problem. The risk of developing a fungal infection is higher for patients who are undergoing dose-intensive therapy, are immunocompromised, have neutropenia, are receiving prophylactic antibiotics, have other infections, have invasive catheters, or have a history of severe trauma or burns. Survival is decreased among patients who develop fungal infection in these situations. In view of the high morbidity and mortality associated with fungal 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 monocytes and macrophages. Animal models and clinical data suggest efficacy of M-CSF in controlling fungal infection.

• Authors: J Nemunaitis
• Journal: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Clin Infect Dis) Vol. 26 Issue 6 Pg. 1279-81 (Jun 1998) ISSN: 1058-4838 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9636846 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

Topics

• Humans
• Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (therapeutic use)
• Mycoses (drug therapy)
• Neoplasms (complications)
• Opportunistic Infections (drug therapy)