Deep-Seated Fungal Infections in Immunocompromised Patients in Iran

During the last two decades or so, the incidence of fungal infections has increaseddramatically. deep- seated mycoses are creating serious problems for cliniciansworking with certain populations of patients, such as those with cancer, theimmunocompromised, and physiologically compromised.a study of fungal isolated for identification of deep fungal infections, risk factorsand etiologic agents in immunocompromised patients was carried out in the section ofmedical mycology, pasteur institute of iran from 1994 to 2001. seventy oneimmunosuppressed patients with deep fungal infection were retrospectively analyzedfor etiology and risk factors. they had one or more predisposing factors todisseminated fungal infections. diagnosis was established by demonstration of fungusin direct and cultural examinations. candida spp. were isolated in 70.4% (39.4% c.albicans and 30.9% non-albincans), and aspergillus spp. were isolated in 14.1% ofcases. the most frequent risk factors were hematologic malignancy (all, lymphoma,hodgkin, multiple myeloma) and diabetes mellitus. this study suggests that inimmunocompromised patients, fungal infections especially in saprophytic infections,background evaluation and clinical features, correspondence of clinical symptoms andlaboratory examinations should be considered and investigation of other factors whichcreated the infection will lead us to a clear picture of patients' situation.