title: Fungal infections in lung transplant recipients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite numerous advances in lung transplantation, survival is still significantly compromised by a higher rate of infections. This review intends to provide an overview of the most common fungal infections afflicting lung transplant recipients, focusing on the most recent developments in diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although detection of galactomannan in serum has poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in lung transplant recipients, detection of galactomannan in the bronchoalveolar lavage of a lung transplant recipient, with a compatible clinical illness, is highly suggestive of invasive disease. New antifungal agents, with a broader spectrum of activity and a more tolerable side effect profile, have become available for the treatment and prophylaxis of fungal infections. Evidence suggests that, at least for voriconazole, monitoring of drug concentrations may be advisable to prevent clinical failure due to underdosing and toxicity due to excessive dosing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fungal infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients; however, advances have been made in the recent years, which will allow earlier diagnosis and more effective and tolerated treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Fernanda P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Husain
mesh_terms: D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*