Invasive Aspergillosis in 2002: an Update

Despite significant advances in the management of immunosuppressed patients, invasive aspergillosis remains an important life-threatening complication. In the past two decades, the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in this population has continued to increase. Factors that predispose patients to develop invasive aspergillosis include prolonged granulocytopenia, the development of graft-versus-host disease, immunosuppressive therapy, the use of adrenal corticosteroids, and the prolonged impairment of host defenses associated with diseases such as chronic granulomatous disease. Environmental factors also play a key part in the pathogenesis of this infection, and therefore, infection control measures play a critical role in reducing exposure of patients to Aspergillus. New exciting developments in the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and the acceleration of antifungal drug discovery offer promise for the future.