An opportunistic fungal infection occurring in a susceptible host who is being treated with a potent antifungal agent is said to "break through" the drug.
Clinical features of a breakthrough opportunistic fungal infection:
(1) The patient is susceptible to an opportunistic fungal infection (because of neutropenia, immunosuppression, leukemia, etc.).
(2) The patient is being treated with a potent antifungal agent.
(3) The patient develops a fungal infection caused by an opportunistic fungus that is resistant to the antifungal therapy.
(4) Conditions that would interfere with the antifungal therapy (inadequate dose, noncompliance, drug interference, etc.) are excluded.
A breakthrough opportunistic fungal infection often has a poor prognosis since there may be no or few antifungal drugs that will be effective.
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