Therapy of deep fungal infection in haematological malignancy. Working Party of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

Abstract

The treatment of deep fungal infection in haematological malignancy remains controversial due to the limited number of antifungal agents available and problems over their spectrum and dose-limiting side-effects. Difficulties in diagnosis mean that most treatments are begun empirically; amphotericin B remains the drug of choice. Emerging resistance may limit the usefulness of fluconazole and other azoles in some areas. Lipid preparations of amphotericin B have reduced the toxicity of this agent, but some issues of dosage and efficacy remain. Adjunctive treatments aimed at augmenting the host response to infection may have a role to play in deep fungal infection.