Dockrell, D. H. (2008) Salvage therapy for invasive aspergillosis. The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy, 61 (Suppl ). i41-44. ISSN 1460-2091
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) makes a marked contribution to the mortality of immunocompromised hosts, especially those who have received cytotoxic chemotherapy for haematological malignancy or allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Salvage therapy, in the case of invasive fungal infection, generally refers to the treatment of infected individuals who are refractory or intolerant to initial therapy administered for at least 7 days. Although clinical trials of salvage therapy of IA have been undertaken, most were non-comparator studies or contained a non-randomized control group, and criteria for patient enrollment and the methods used to assess response were variable. Salvage therapy has produced relatively disappointing results, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and effective primary therapy for IA. Despite this, a number of agents have been studied in the treatment of IA and have demonstrated efficacy in a salvage setting. These include lipid-based formulations of amphotericin B, caspofungin, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and micafungin. Combinations of echinocandins with either azoles or amphotericin B have also been studied in small series. Further studies are required, ideally comparing newer agents and treatment strategies in randomized clinical trials, to clarify the optimal approach to salvage treatment of IA in this challenging group of patients.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > The Medical School (Sheffield) > Department of Infection & Immunity |
Depositing User: | Miss Anthea Tucker |
Date Deposited: | 29 Mar 2012 09:53 |
Last Modified: | 29 Mar 2012 09:53 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkm426 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/jac/dkm426 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:43800 |