Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Fungal Infections in Critically Ill Patients

Rosemary      A. Barnes

doi:10.2174/157339812800493304

Abstract

Fungi are relatively rare causes of pulmonary infection and outside areas of endemic mycoses, infections are mainly opportunist caused by Pneumocystis and Aspergillus species. Invasive aspergillosis may be an undiagnosed problem in critically ill patients particularly those with end stage of lung and liver failure. The attributable mortality and impact of antifungal treatment are unknown. A raised index of clinical suspicion should lead to antigen testing on respiratory specimens from selected critical care patients to aid in earlier diagnosis. The high negative predictive value can be used to exclude diagnosis.

Keywords: Aspergillus, ICU, Pneumocystis, pulmonary infection, Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, endemic mycoses, chronic disease, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis