Clinical analysis of secondary fungal infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To discuss and analyze secondary fungal infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Three hundred and two patients with COPD treated in our hospital with 40 cases of secondary fungal infection from May 2010 to May 2012 were analyzed by clinical data statistics retrospectively. Results Forty cases had secondary fungal infection in the 302 cases of COPD, accounting for 13.2% (40/302). In the 40 patients with secondary fungal infections, deaths accounted for 15% (6/40). In the 262 patients without fungal infections, death accounted for 4.6% (12/262). The mortality of fungal infection group was significantly higher than the non-fungal infection group (P 0.05). Sputum specimens were taken from the deep trachea, in the total of 26 cases, candida albicans accounted for 65% (26/40); followed by candida krusei which accounted for 12.5% (5/40); Aspergillus accounted for 5% (2/40); C. glabrata accounted for 2.5% (1/40); Candida tropicalis accounted for 2.5% (1/40); Other fungal infection accounted for 5 cases. Conclusion Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with secondary fungal infection is affected by the risk factors. In clinical practices, we need to take effective measures to confirm the diagnosis, to avoid the impact of iatrogenic risk factors, and to positively give antifungal drugs in order to alleviate the condition, reduce mortality and improve life quality of the patients.