Fungi are typically opportunistic pathogens. Formerly, limitations in diagnostic techniques explain why invasive fungal infections are usually detected in a late stage of their development. Therefore, traditional guidelines dictate antifungal treatment for all patients with persisting fever. This is not longer justifiable in view of the potential adverse events and the economical burden associated with the use of the new antifungal drugs in an era with improved diagnostic tools. Amphotericin B has been the drug of choice for invasive fungal infections for more than 30 years. Owing to nephrotoxicity, its use in neutropenic patients has been largely abandoned in favor of a lipid formulation of amphotericin B, of which only liposomal amphotericin B has been scientifically tested in the first-line treatment of aspergillosis. Azoles constitute an acceptable alternative to intravenous amphotericin B for many invasive fungal infections.

真菌通常是机会性病原体。以前，诊断技术的局限性解释了为什么侵袭性真菌感染通常在其发展的后期被发现。因此，传统指南要求对所有持续发热的患者进行抗真菌治疗。鉴于潜在的不良事件和与在诊断工具改进的时代使用新的抗真菌药物相关的经济负担，这不再是合理的。30 多年来，两性霉素 B 一直是侵袭性真菌感染的首选药物。由于肾毒性，它在中性粒细胞减少症患者中的使用已基本被放弃，取而代之的是两性霉素 B 的脂质制剂，其中只有脂质体两性霉素 B 已在曲霉菌病的一线治疗中进行了科学测试。