ABSTRACT
Fungal infections remain an important cause of late-onset morbidity and mortality in burn patients. The loss of mechanical barrier of the skin and the immunosuppression state induced by extensive thermal injury predisposes burn patients to fungal infections. Early diagnosis and treatment is paramount to prevent further local spread and systemic dissemination. Differentiation between colonization and infection may be difficult and reliable diagnosis requires histological examination of the affected tissue along with fungal cultures of the wound biopsy. Aggressive surgical debridement and systemic antifungal therapy are the mainstay of treatment. The longer the burn wound is present, the risk of fungal infection increases. Therefore, early surgical therapy and early wound closure are key factors in limiting the risk of fungal infection in burn patients.
This chapter highlights the main aspects of fungal infections in burn patients including incidence, spectrum of fungal organisms, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, treatment, and prevention strategies.
