OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency of skin colonization by Fusarium spp. in high-risk hematologic patients and its impact on the subsequent development of invasive fusariosis. METHODS: We screened all high-risk hematologic patients from August 2008 to December 2009 with cultures of 6 pre-defined areas in the feet and hands on admission and at discharge. In addition, cultures of any skin lesion present on admission were performed. RESULTS: Among 61 patients screened, alterations in the skin and/or nails were present in 32 patients (52%) on admission, mostly represented by abnormal appearing nails and intertrigo. Four patients (7.2%) presented positive baseline cultures for Fusarium spp., all in existing lesions of onychomycosis, intertrigo or both. Invasive fusariosis was diagnosed in six patients. The presence of a skin lesion at baseline that grew Fusarium spp. was associated with the subsequent development of invasive fusariosis (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that: 1) baseline cultures in patients without alterations in the skin and/or nails seems not justifiable; 2) cultures of pre-existing lesions may help to identify a group of patients at higher risk to develop invasive fusariosis. The use of anti-mould prophylaxis in this setting should be explored in future studies.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency of skin colonization by Fusarium spp. in high-risk hematologic patients and its impact on the subsequent development of invasive fusariosis. METHODS: We screened all high-risk hematologic patients from August 2008 to December 2009 with cultures of 6 pre-defined areas in the feet and hands on admission and at discharge. In addition, cultures of any skin lesion present on admission were performed. RESULTS: Among 61 patients screened, alterations in the skin and/or nails were present in 32 patients (52%) on admission, mostly represented by abnormal appearing nails and intertrigo. Four patients (7.2%) presented positive baseline cultures for Fusarium spp., all in existing lesions of onychomycosis, intertrigo or both. Invasive fusariosis was diagnosed in six patients. The presence of a skin lesion at baseline that grew Fusarium spp. was associated with the subsequent development of invasive fusariosis (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that: 1) baseline cultures in patients without alterations in the skin and/or nails seems not justifiable; 2) cultures of pre-existing lesions may help to identify a group of patients at higher risk to develop invasive fusariosis. The use of anti-mould prophylaxis in this setting should be explored in future studies.
Authors: G Nazzaro; A Tourlaki; B Scoppio; A Restelli; A Grancini; L Brambilla Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2017-11-17 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: Vania O Carvalho; Vania A Vicente; Betina Werner; Renata R Gomes; Gheniffer Fornari; Patricia F Herkert; Cristina O Rodrigues; Kerstin T Abagge; Renata Robl; Ricardo H Camiña Journal: Med Mycol Case Rep Date: 2014-10-05
Authors: Fabianne Carlesse; Anna-Paula C Amaral; Sarah S Gonçalves; Hemilio Xafranski; Maria-Lucia M Lee; Victor Zecchin; Antonio S Petrilli; Abdullah M Al-Hatmi; Ferry Hagen; Jacques F Meis; Arnaldo L Colombo Journal: Antimicrob Resist Infect Control Date: 2017-09-07 Impact factor: 4.887