Lung infections due to emerging fungal pathogens

Abstract

Purpose of review This review highlights the epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical management of pulmonary infections caused by emerging fungal organisms. Recent findings Emerging fungal infections have arisen as a result of population and environmental changes. An enlarging pool of immunocompromised hosts on triazole antifungal prophylaxis has led to an increased incidence of non-Aspergillus molds, such as Fusarium, Scedosporium and Lomentospora spp. Advances in diagnostic capabilities led to the identification of the Emergomyces genus and non-dermatitidis Blastomyces species, which have a significant disease burden in Africa and the Middle East. Climate change has contributed to changing the distribution of previously confined endemic mycoses, like coccidioidomycosis and talaromycosis. These emerging organisms pose important diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Summary Newly recognized pathogenic fungi and established endemic mycoses with expanding geographic boundaries have become important agents of pulmonary disease. There is a dearth of clinical evidence on the appropriate management of these infections.