STUDY OF FUNGAL INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH LEUKAEMIA

Abstract

Fungal infections most commonly occur as complications in immunocompromised patients especially in patients with haematologic malignancies. Fifty two leukaemic patients (29 All, 22 AML, 1CML) examined for fungal infections. The majority of those patients had fever of undetermined origin, profound leucopenia and had been under treatment of cytotoxics, corticosteroids and antibiotics for prolonged period of time. The study group consisted of 29 males and 23 females and ranged in age from 4 months to 55 years. Diagnosis was established by demonstration of fungus in direct and cultural examinations. In the present study one case of pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus flavus associated with candidiasis due to Candida albicans, one case of pulmonary mucoromycosis due to Mucor sp. Associated with candidaenia due to C.tropicalis, one case of pulmonary geotrichosis due to Geotrichum candidum, one case fungaemia due to Rhodotorula rubra associated with an undetermined black yeast, two cases of pulmonary candidiasis due to C.albicans and C.tropicalis were observed. C.albicans was the most frequent fungal invader in this study and pulmonary mucoromycosis and geotrichosis are reported for the first time from Iran.