Editorial

Healthcare-associated Fungal Infections: Beyond Candida and Aspergillus

Authors: Daniel J. Diekema, MD, FACP

Abstract

Healthcare-associated invasive fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.1,2 Candida and Aspergillus cause most healthcare-associated fungal infections, and are associated with crude mortality rates of 40 to 61% (for invasive candidiasis3,4) and 40 to 88% (for invasive aspergillosis5). Increasingly immunocompromised patient populations, more frequent use of medical devices, and excessive use of antimicrobial agents has now led to the emergence of an increasing array of less common fungal pathogens.6

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