Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections

Abstract

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in immunosupressed hosts. Although Candida species are the most common cause of IFIs and Candida albicans still remains the predominant cause of invasive candidiasis, emergence of non-albicans species has increased with the decreasing fluconazole sensitivity in the world. There is also an increase in the incidence of Aspergillus, new species such as Candida auris, and rare moulds. Many factors have likely contributed to this situation including the number of patients with increased immunosuppression and aggressive chemotherapy, increased use of invasive devices and antimicrobial prophylaxis or treatment approaches. Species and resistance distribution of IFI agents can vary between hospitals and even within different units in the same hospital as in the whole world and may vary according to predisposing factors of patients. Due to these reasons, understanding the changing epidemiology of IFIs is important in developing effective therapeutic and prophylactic approaches for these infections expected to increase in the next decade. Klimik Dergisi 2019; 32(Suppl. 2): 118-23.