Opportunistic fungal infections in the Asia-Pacific region

Abstract

With more than half the world's population, many Asia-Pacific countries still lack resources for adequate infection control and diagnostics. Opportunistic invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have a significant impact on public health in the region, and early diagnosis and appropriate treatment remain important. The incidence of IFI in the Asia-Pacific region is increasing because of the expanded population of immunosuppressed patients resulting from advances in medical technology, such as treatments for cancer and transplantation, as well as the impact of human immunodeficiency virus. Even so, the epidemiology of IFIs is not well described in the Asia-Pacific region. Prevalence of some infections, such as mucormycosis, is particularly related to undiagnosed or untreated diabetes, which is likely to be a continuing problem with the epidemic of diabetes in the region. In addition, despite some effective treatment options, IFIs are associated with high morbidity and mortality. In an attempt to increase recognition of invasive mycoses in this large area, this paper reviews recent findings on the epidemiology of the most clinically significant opportunistic mould and yeast infections in the Asia-Pacific region, i.e., aspergillosis, mucormycosis, pythiosis, scedosporiosis, fusariosis, candidiasis, trichosporonosis, and cryptococcosis.