Invasive Fungal Infections and Their Epidemiology: Measures in the Clinical Scenario

Abstract

Fungi are increasingly recognized as major clinical pathogens in critically ill patients. Emerging groups of fungal pathogens such as Candida and Cryptococcus spp. are most frequently isolated from clinical setup, including filamentous fungi. Assessment of risk factors of these infections such as hospital-acquired fungal infection and environmental factors, including changes in medical practices and epidemiology as well as fungal infection mediated immunomodulation have provided important therapeutic options in the diagnosis of the fungal infections for clinicians. This review aims to furnish information on the factors affecting invasive fungal infections in a clinical scenario, especially for immunocompromised patients. A review of the recently published literature via PubMed, Elsevier and Medline database was performed. Relevant invasive fungal diseases and their worldwide cases were reviewed. Data on the immune response to the fungal infections in terms of release of anti-fungal effectors have been provided. Information on the anti-fungal mechanistic action via upregulation of immunity through predominant cytokines has been summarized, as well as factors affecting disease scenario of invasive fungal infections in clinical practices. The epidemiology and clinical features of fungal infections have also been reviewed.