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Fungal infections in burn patients: The rise of Fusarium as the most prevalent in a burn center in Mexico City

Summary

Burn patients are at high risk for serious fungal infections that can cause death. This study from a Mexican burn hospital found that a fungus called Fusarium was the most common cause of these infections, affecting over half of patients with fungal infections. This finding differs from other parts of the world where Aspergillus is usually most common, suggesting that Mexican burn patients face unique fungal threats that doctors should watch for carefully.

Background

Burns are devastating traumatic injuries that disrupt the skin barrier, leading to high risk of systemic infections. Fungal infections occur in 20-25% of hospitalized burn patients and are associated with mortality rates of 33-60%. Limited epidemiological data exists on the distribution of mold species in burn patients, particularly in Mexico.

Objective

This study aims to describe the epidemiology and distribution of mold infections in a tertiary care burn center in Mexico City from July 2011 to July 2023, identifying the prevalence and types of filamentous fungi causing invasive fungal infections in burn patients.

Results

Fusarium spp. was the predominant fungal genus in 53.97% of cases (34 patients), with Fusarium solani complex being most common at 36.51%, followed by Aspergillus spp. in 19.04% of cases. The study population was predominantly male (69.8%), with mean TBSA of 46.2% and 74.19% third-degree burns. Mortality was 35.48% within 60 days.

Conclusion

Fusarium spp. emerged as the most prevalent mold causing invasive fungal infections in burn patients at this Mexican burn center, differing from global patterns where Aspergillus is typically most common. Early recognition and treatment of Fusarium infections is critical given the high mortality rates observed in this population.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology,
  • Study Type:Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40690277, DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaf059
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