| Theme |
Complications of Respiratory Organs in Dialysis Patients |
| Title |
Pulmonary mycosis |
| Author |
Norihito Tarumoto |
Department of Infectious Disease and Infection Control, Saitama Medical University |
| Author |
Shigefumi Maesaki |
Department of Infectious Disease and Infection Control, Saitama Medical University |
| [ Summary ] |
Pulmonary mycosis is a severe opportunistic infection occuring in patients who are immunocompromised. Aspergillus species have emerged as an important cause of life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. Micafungin is a novel class of antifungal agents. Micafungins are effective in treating Aspergillus species but have not been approved for treating pulmonary aspergillosis. Voriconazole is approved for treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis. Voriconazole is recommended for primary treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis. Itraconazole is a triazole antifungal agent which has proven effective in treatingAspergillus species. Itraconazole is formulated in capsules, oral solutions, and parenteral solutions. AmBisome is a liposomal amphotericin B displaying efficacy similar to voriconazole as a primary therapy for pulmonary aspergillosis. AmBisome may reduce adverse effects in patients being treated for amphotericin B. There are many unanswered and unresolved clinical questions concerning treatment for pulmonary aspergillosis. The availability of more-active and better-tolerated antifungal agents has improved therapy for patients with pulmonary aspergillosis. |