Managing fungal and viral infections in pediatric leukemia

Abstract

Despite steadily improving long-term outcomes, infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children receiving therapy for leukemia. Standardized approaches to the management of bacterial infections have been highly successful. However, management of fungal and viral infections remains challenging, especially given the shifting epidemiology of fungal infections. Significant advances in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities have been achieved for fungal and viral infections over the past decade, providing new opportunities for effective interventions. This article reviews the management of viral and fungal infections in children undergoing therapy for leukemia.

Keywords::

• children
• fungal infection
• leukemia
• neutropenia
• viral infection

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Jerry Shenep is a shareholder in Pfizer (NY, USA). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.