title: Invasive fungal infections at The Norwegian Radium Hospital 1998-2003.
abstract: The study evaluates the clinical and microbiological data from patients with documented invasive fungal infections at a comprehensive cancer centre in Norway. Relevant microbiology and pathology databases were screened and medical records were reviewed. 17 yeast infections, including 1 case of cryptococcal meningitis, and no mould infections were found. Diagnostically, in 30% of the positive blood cultures Candida only grew in the Mycosis IC/F bottle. Half of the patients had febrile neutropenia, and 30% had undergone complicated abdominal or pelvic surgery. 12 out of 13 positive blood cultures were Candida albicans. 30% of the patients died of acute septic candidiasis. Within 14 months 90% of the patients were dead from their underlying diseases. A diagnosis of invasive fungal infection is an ominous sign for the patient's overall prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Dag
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torfoss
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sandven
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009664:Norway; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015725:Fluconazole