Opportunistic Infections

Abstract

Fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed hosts, such as patients with HIV-1 infection and those who are otherwise neutropenic. Thus, antifungal prophylaxis has become important in the care of patients with AIDS, transplant recipients, persons receiving chemotherapy, and other at-risk persons. This first installment in a 3-part series on opportunistic fungal infections in the immunocompromised person reviews the pathogenesis of opportunistic fungal infections in select at-risk populations and the pharmacotherapeutic armamentarium available for prophylaxis and treatment. [Infect Med. 2008;25:448-456, 473]