Vnitr Lek 2002, 48(3):248-254

[Prevention of mycotic infections in oncology patients with regard to the toxicity of antimycotic agents].

M Doubek, J Mayer, D Horký, J Doubek, Z Rácil, J Vorlícek

Interní hematoonkologická klinika Fakultní nemocnice Brno, pracovistĕ Bohunice.

Profound and prolonged neutropenia following chemotherapy is a major risk factor for systemic fungal infections. It is still unclear how effective the various measures that are currently being used are in preventing serious fungal infection. Although a number of studies have been published on antifungal prophylaxis in neutropenic patients, there are a lot of conflicting data. At the present time, it seems that antifungal prophylaxis is more a matter of faith rather than science. The prophylactic use of fluconazole or itraconazole may reduce the incidence of systemic fungal infections in high-risk patient groups, mainly in patients with haematological malignancies. The antifungals currently used for prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients, and the toxicity of the antifungals are reviewed.

Keywords: Antifungal Agents, adverse effects, ; Humans; Mycoses, prevention & control, ; Neoplasms, microbiology, ; Opportunistic Infections, prevention & control,

Published: March 1, 2002  Show citation