Update from the Laboratory: Clinical Identification and Susceptibility Testing of Fungi and Trends in Antifungal Resistance

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2016 Mar;30(1):13-35. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2015.10.014. Epub 2015 Dec 29.

Abstract

Despite the availability of new diagnostic assays and broad-spectrum antifungal agents, invasive fungal infections remain a significant challenge to clinicians and are associated with marked morbidity and mortality. In addition, the number of etiologic agents of invasive mycoses has increased accompanied by an expansion in the immunocompromised patient populations, and the use of molecular tools for fungal identification and characterization has resulted in the discovery of several cryptic species. This article reviews various methods used to identify fungi and perform antifungal susceptibility testing in the clinical laboratory. Recent developments in antifungal resistance are also discussed.

Keywords: Antifungal resistance; Antifungal susceptibility testing; Fungal identification.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal / physiology*
  • Fungi / isolation & purification*
  • Fungi / physiology
  • Humans
  • Laboratories
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Mycoses / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents