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Fungal infections in cancer patients: An international autopsy survey

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Abstract

In an attempt to estimate the frequency of fungal infections among cancer patients, a survey of autopsy examinations was conducted in multiple institutions in Europe, Japan and Canada. Fungal infections were identified most often in leukemic patients and transplant recipients (25 % each). Fifty-eight percent of fungal infections were caused byCandida spp. and 30 % byAspergillus spp. There was considerable variability in the frequency of fungal infections in different countries. Nevertheless, this study clearly demonstrates that fungal infections represent a common complication in cancer patients, especially in patients with leukemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Box 47, 77030, Houston, Texas, USA

    G. Bodey

  2. University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany

    B. Bueltmann

  3. Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Canada

    W. Duguid

  4. Pfizer International, Inc., New York, New York, USA

    D. Gibbs

  5. Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria

    H. Hanak

  6. Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan

    M. Hotchi

  7. University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    G. Mall

  8. University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

    P. Martino

  9. EORTC, Brussels, Belgium

    F. Meunier

  10. Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK

    S. Milliken

  11. Toho University, Tokyo, Japan

    S. Naoe

  12. Kitazato University, Sagamihara, Japan

    M. Okudaira

  13. University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    D. Scevola

  14. Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    J. van't Wout

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  1. G. Bodey
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  3. W. Duguid
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  6. M. Hotchi
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  7. G. Mall
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  8. P. Martino
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  9. F. Meunier
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  11. S. Naoe
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  14. J. van't Wout
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Bodey, G., Bueltmann, B., Duguid, W. et al. Fungal infections in cancer patients: An international autopsy survey. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 11, 99–109 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01967060

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