Fusarium spp., a Genus of Common Plant Pathogens That Can Cause Devastating, Opportunistic Human Disease

Fusarium spp. are environmental hyaline molds that are pathogens in plants and opportunistic pathogens in humans. In immunocompetent individuals, Fusarium sp. infections primarily include keratitis, onychomycosis, and localized infections due to trauma. However, in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematological malignancies, members of this genus can cause devastating, invasive, and disseminated infections with high mortality. In general, these species are resistant to therapy with a variety of antifungal agents. This article reviews recent literature about human infections caused by Fusarium spp., treatment and outcomes, and methods for accurately identifying isolates recovered from clinical specimens.