Fungaemia due to Fusarium spp. in cancer patients

J Hosp Infect. 1997 Jul;36(3):223-8. doi: 10.1016/s0195-6701(97)90197-3.

Abstract

Five cases of fungaemia due to Fusarium spp. in cancer patients are described. Two were breakthrough cases, despite ongoing therapy with amphotericin B. Three were caused by Fusarium solani, one by F. oxysporum and one by F. dimerum. Four patients died, three of them despite therapy with amphotericin B for between 5-37 days. We describe only the second reported case of F. dimerum fungaemia. Since 1972, 93 cases of systemic infection with Fusarium spp. have been described: 43 had positive blood cultures and the overall mortality was 72%.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross Infection / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fungemia / etiology*
  • Fusarium* / classification
  • Humans
  • Infection Control
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neutropenia / complications
  • Risk Factors