MONDAY, Jan. 10 (HealthDay News) -- The American Thoracic Society has issued a new official clinical policy statement introducing new guidelines for treating fungal infections in adult pulmonary and critical care patients; the statement has been published in the Jan. 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Andrew H. Limper, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues reviewed the current literature and examined trends in fungal infections and their treatment. The new guidelines take into account advances in diagnostic technologies, which allow physicians to accurately identify pulmonary fungal infections; and the availability of new medications to the treating physician.
The investigators give treatment suggestions for three primary areas of concern: endemic fungal infections, infections that are usually found in immune-compromised and critically ill patients, and rare and emerging fungi. The later group poses a significant risk for patients, especially those patients who are immune-compromised. The guidelines offer accurate information about current treatments and include recommendations for use of new treatment options.
"In light of developments in the incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of pulmonary fungal infections, the American Thoracic Society convened a working group on fungi to develop a concise clinical summary of the current therapeutic approaches for those fungal infections of particular relevance to pulmonary and critical care practice," the authors write.
Several of the study authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
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