Métodos microbiológicos para el diagnóstico,manejo y estudio de la infección fúngica invasora

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are difficult to diagnose and cause a high mortality to an expanding spectrum of patients. Culture of clinical samples has limitations for the diagnosis of IFI and alternative procedures have been developed. Among them, serum determination of galactomannan or beta-1,3-d-glucan, and antimicelium and antimannan antibodies are relevant. The use of molecular procedures and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) are encouraging tools for the optimization of the diagnosis and management of patients with IFI. The proposal of species-specific breakpoint to classify the isolates as resistant or susceptible to antifungal agents and the necessity of monitor the azole serum levels deserve greater attention.