Epidemiology of Opportunistic Fungal Infections in Latin America

Abstract

This review discusses the epidemiology of the most clinically relevant opportunistic fungal infections in Latin America, including candidiasis, cryptococcosis, trichosporonosis, aspergillosis, and fusariosis. The epidemiologic features, including incidence, of some of these mycoses are markedly different in Latin America than they are in other parts of the world. The most consistent epidemiologic data are available for candidemia, with a large prospective study in Brazil reporting an incidence that is 3- to 15-fold higher than that reported in studies from North America and Europe. Species distribution also differs: in Latin America, the most common Candida species (other than Candida albicans) causing bloodstream infections are Candida parapsilosis or Candida tropicalis, rather than Candida glabrata.

Invasive candidosis: contrasting the perceptions of infectious disease physicians and intensive care physicians

“…We were surprised to see that, despite enjoying these advantages, a large proportion of the physicians who were interviewed demonstrated little knowledge regarding the epidemiology of invasive Candida infections. For instance, more than half of the participants declared that the frequency of candidemia caused by Candida species other than Candida albicans was lower than 10%; the actual proportion reported in most studies varies from 40% to 74% 8 . Additionally, more than 90% of the physicians were not aware of the increase of C. glabrata incidence that has been documented in some medical centers in Brazil 7,14,15 .…”

In vitro antifungal activities of leaf extracts of Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) against clinically important yeast species

“…The incidence of invasive opportunistic mycoses has increased in immunosuppressed patients, including those undergoing organ transplantation or hematopoietic stem cell therapy and those suffering from cancer or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) 2 . Clinical Candida species remain the most important cause of opportunistic mycoses worldwide.…”

“…The majority of invasive infections due to Candida spp. are attributed to several species, including Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei 2 . Cryptococcus neoformans is the etiological agent of cryptococcosis and is responsible for up to 30% of deaths in AIDS patients 3 .…”

“…Despite some effective treatment options, such mycoses are associated with high morbidity 2 . To overcome this problem, identifying new compounds, especially natural products, that exert antifungal activities, is very important.…”

Candida parapsilosis complex water isolates from a haemodialysis unit: biofilm production and in vitro evaluation of the use of clinical antifungals

“…Previous studies, which compared the clinical use of drugs such as fluconazole (FLC) and amphotericin B (AMB) showed that FLC is the best therapy in the empiric treatment of fungal infections due to lower toxicity and low cost (Pfaller et al 2003, Colombo et al 2006, Nucci et al 2010.…”