THE MYCOLOGY INITIATIVE IS AN ACCREDITED EDUCATIONAL program designed and implemented by members of the International Immunocompromised Host Society (ICHS).

The goal of this program is to provide leading-edge information in the area of medical mycology to physicians and other health-care providers. The program has been designed to address important issues about fungal disease such as epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the immunocompromised patient. Thought leaders in medical mycology will develop content areas as monographs and slide/lecture sets that will be available to you at regular intervals.

This first monograph, Opportunistic Fungi in the Immunocompromised Patient, is an introduction to the general topic of fungal infections in high-risk patients. The initial section provides important demographic and incidence data to help you understand the causes of increased rates of opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. The monograph discusses risk factors most implicated in community-acquired and nosocomial fungal infections. The authors provide an overview of the pathogenesis of fungal infections, including mechanisms of mucosal acquisition, tissue invasion, and host immune responses to infection. You will learn about environmental and host factors that should alert you that your patient is at risk. The monograph addresses new and important laboratory methods for diagnosing fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts, and reviews current antifungal therapies and their mechanisms of action. You will become familiar with the benefits and limitations of each of the antifungal agents used alone and in combination. Finally, the monograph reviews therapeutic approaches under investigation.

Hematologists, Oncologists, Infectious Diseases Specialists, Transplant Physicians, Bone-Marrow Transplant Physicians, Physicians in Training, and any physician who cares for patients at risk of developing invasive mycoses.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and The International Immunocompromised Host Society. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, as part of the Consortium for Academic Continuing Medical Education, is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences designates this educational activity for a maximum of 4.0 Category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Physicians should claim only those credits that they actually spent on this educational activity.

It is estimated that the average time required to read this text-based material and complete the test is 4 hours. Please complete the post test and program evaluation sections on the last pages of this monograph and return them to the CME office to receive CME credit.

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UMPC Health System or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure that educational subject matter is presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his or her personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.