Primary factors predisposing to opportunistic fungal infections (Pfaller, 1992):
(1) neutropenia and/or defective neutrophil function
(2) T cell lymphopenia and/or defective T cell function
(3) broad spectrum antibiotic therapy
(4) corticosteroid therapy
(5) immunosuppressive therapy
(6) intravascular catheters
(7) parenteral hyperalimentation
(8) extensive surgery
(9) prior colonization by fungal species
Other factors associated with opportunistic fungal infections:
(1) uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (affects neutrophil function)
(2) extensive burns
(3) deferoxamine (mucormycosis)
(4) acidosis (mucormycosis)
(5) chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (neutropenia, immunosuppression, other mechanisms)
(6) presence of foreign bodies, especially prosthetic heart valves
