Introduction

Target Audience

Course/Activity

Faculty

Disclaimer Statement

Conflict Disclosure

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. Preeminent leaders in medical mycology will develop content areas as monographs and slide/lecture sets that will be made available to you at regular intervals.

Opportunistic Fungi in the Immunocompromised Patient, the first monograph in this series, was an introduction to the general topic of fungal infections in high-risk patients. This second monograph is a more in-depth discussion of the specialized area of fungal infection in the cancer patient, specifically patients undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). A review of the suppression and subsequent recovery of host defenses caused by chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression and the HSCT procedure will help you understand the different risk factors relevant to fungal infection. You will learn that transplant recipients typically manifest a predictable pattern of immune system dysfunction and recovery that can serve as a guide to diagnostic efforts and clinical management of this patient population. Clinical and laboratory evaluation of the high-risk patient is addressed in some detail. The rationale for preventative and empirical strategies against fungal infection in oncology patients is reviewed, and recommendations on use of antifungal agents based on up-to-date literature are presented. Finally, the authors outline treatment protocols for documented fungal disease, with particular reference to infections with Candida and Aspergillus species.

Physicians specializing in hematology, oncology, infectious diseases, and bone-marrow transplantation, physicians in training, and any health-care provider caring for patients at risk of developing invasive mycoses.

The average estimated time required to read this text-based material and complete the test is 4 hours.

This activity was 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 University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine 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 spend on this educational activity.

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.