Invasive fungal infection: a visible menace

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are an upcoming threat in hospitalized patients.

We studied the risk factors, aetiology, clinical features and outcomes (in the

form of survival or death) in 30 cases displaying IFI. This was a prospective

observational study. The prevalence of IFI in our study was 0.665 per 100

patients. Associated comorbidities observed included diabetes mellitus;

neutropenia; chronic kidney disease; and malignancy. Therapies used included

immunosuppressive therapy, including systemic steroids or chemotherapy

drugs, and trauma. Some cases underwent major surgeries, some were treated

using broad spectrum antibiotics. Some had sepsis or HIVinfection, some were

on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and some underwent instrumentation or

ICU stay. The common IFIs observed were mucormycosis, followed by

candidiasis, aspergillosis and cryptococcosis. The survival rate was 73.33% of

cases, while death was recorded in 26.67% of cases.