title: Combat-Related Invasive Fungal Wound Infections.
abstract: Combat-related invasive fungal (mold) wound infections (IFIs) have emerged as an important and morbid complication following explosive blast injuries among military personnel. Similar to trauma-associated IFI cases among civilian populations, as in agricultural accidents and natural disasters, these infections occur in the setting of penetrating wounds contaminated by environmental debris. Specific risk factors for combat-related IFI include dismounted (patrolling on foot) blast injuries occurring mostly in southern Afghanistan, resulting in above knee amputations requiring resuscitation with large-volume blood transfusions. Diagnosis of IFI is based upon early identification of a recurrently necrotic wound following serial debridement and tissue-based histopathology examination with special stains to detect invasive disease. Fungal culture of affected tissue also provides supportive information. Aggressive surgical debridement of affected tissue is the primary therapy. Empiric antifungal therapy should be considered when there is a strong suspicion for IFI. Both liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole should be considered initially for treatment since many of the cases involve not only Mucorales species but alsoAspergillusorFusariumspp., with narrowing of regimen based upon clinical mycology findings.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Preventive Medicine and Biometrics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-5119, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Tribble
authors.affiliation: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
keywords: Combat-related trauma; Invasive fungal infections; Invasive mold infections; Invasive mucormycosis; Wound infections