Breakthrough invasive aspergillosis in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients treated with caspofungin

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2007 Dec;30(6):551-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2007.07.026.

Abstract

During the period January 2004 to April 2007, nine cases of breakthrough invasive aspergillosis occurred among 156 allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients receiving caspofungin therapy, mainly for empirical treatment of persisting fever. Voriconazole salvage therapy induced two complete responses. However, seven patients ultimately died a median of 5 weeks after diagnosis, including five patients with aspergillosis. This high incidence of breakthrough invasive aspergillosis in this patient population receiving caspofungin therapy warrants further investigation.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillosis / mortality
  • Aspergillosis / prevention & control*
  • Aspergillus / drug effects*
  • Caspofungin
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal*
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects*
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Caspofungin
  • Voriconazole