Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive treatment for zygomycosis

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005 Jul;11(7):515-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2005.01170.x.

Abstract

Zygomycosis is a rare but emerging mycosis. Because of the sub-optimal efficacy of the standard antifungal treatment for this disease, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been used occasionally as an adjunctive therapeutic modality. A review of 28 published cases of zygomycosis indicates that adjunctive HBO may be beneficial in diabetic patients (94% survival), whereas its benefit in the small group of patients with haematological malignancies or bone marrow transplants is doubtful (33% survival; p 0.02). Prolonged courses of HBO were associated with a higher survival (100% survival; p 0.003). Additional studies are required to assess the optimal timing and dose for HBO treatment.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Complications / therapy
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucorales
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zygomycosis / complications
  • Zygomycosis / therapy*