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“Invasive pulmonary infection by Scedosporium apiospermum (IPSA) and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) are clinically similar. Our objective was to identify clinical parameters that may differentiate IPSA from IPA. Ours was a prospective cohort study that included patients with different degrees of immunosuppression and respiratory

isolation of S. apiospermum (SCA). Episodes of invasive infection were classified according to the EORTC and MSG criteria. Clinical variables corresponding to patients with IPSA were compared with those collected from patients with a diagnosis of IPA during the same period. Twenty-seven patients with positive culture for SCA from respiratory Selleckchem I-BET-762 samples were evaluated. Of the 27 positive

cultures, nine were classified as IPSA. When compared with the 89 patients with IPA, patients with IPSA were most likely to have received prophylaxis with either aerosolised (14.6% vs. 66.7%; P < 0.001) or intravenous amphotericin B (AMB; 4.5% vs. 44.4%; P = 0.002), to have prior episode of acute rejection (19% vs. 66.7%; P = 0.005), to have a later onset of infection after transplantation (251 days vs. 404 days; P = 0.009), and to have higher CD4+ lymphocyte count (207.6 vs. 289.4; P = 0.005). Late-onset disease after transplantation and prophylaxis learn more with AMB are more frequent in patients with IPSA compared with IPA. “
“We created a clinical prediction rule to identify patients at risk of invasive candidiasis (IC) in the intensive care unit (ICU) (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2007; 26:271). The rule applies to <10% of patients in ICUs. We sought to create a more inclusive rule for clinical trials. Retrospective review

of patients admitted to ICU ≥ 4 days, collecting risk factors and outcomes. Variations of the rule based on introduction of mechanical ventilation and risk factors were assessed. We reviewed 597 patients with a mean APACHE II score of 14.4, mean ICU stay of 12.5 days and mean ventilation time of 10.7 days. A variation of the rule Nitroxoline requiring mechanical ventilation AND central venous catheter AND broad spectrum antibiotics on days 1–3 AND an additional risk factor applied to 18% of patients, maintaining the incidence of IC at 10%. Modification of our original rule resulted in a more inclusive rule for studies. “
“Antifungal agents are often prescribed in critically ill patients who are receiving many other medications. When using systemic antifungals, clinicians may possess susceptibility data and they are typically aware of the potential toxicity of these agents. However, the myriad of potential drugs that antifungal agents can interact with is daunting and can be confusing. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic properties of antifungal agents and their clinically relevant drug interactions. The antifungal agents differ markedly in their pharmacokinetic properties and in how they interact with other medicines.

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