Fungal endocarditis, 1995-2000

Chest. 2002 Jul;122(1):302-10. doi: 10.1378/chest.122.1.302.

Abstract

One hundred fifty-two cases of fungal endocarditis (FE) were identified in the English-language literature between January 1, 1995, and June 30, 2000. Although the median age of patients (44 years) was relatively young, injection drug use was identified as a risk factor in only 4.1% of cases. Other factors, including underlying cardiac abnormalities (47.3%), prosthetic valves (44.6%), and central venous catheters (30.4%), were more commonly identified as predisposing conditions and reflect the changing epidemiology of the syndrome. Unfortunately, mortality remains unacceptably high, particularly for patients with Aspergillus-related FE. Novel therapies are needed to improve patient outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endocarditis* / complications
  • Endocarditis* / etiology
  • Endocarditis* / mortality
  • Female
  • Fungi* / isolation & purification
  • Fungi* / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses* / complications
  • Mycoses* / etiology
  • Mycoses* / mortality

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents