Management of Mucorales Infections in Transplant Patients

Abstract

Infections due to Mucorales fungi in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients may be increasing. Disease is severe and rapidly progressive and carries high mortality. Both the prevalence and species epidemiology vary with geography. Rhizopus species is the most common pathogen followed by Mucor species. Risk factors in SOT patients include renal failure, diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppression to prevent rejection. Additional risks in HSCT patients include corticosteroid use, neutropenia, iron overload, newer immunomodulating therapies, and graft-versus-host disease Breakthrough mucormycosis has occurred in patients receiving voriconazole an..