Systemic mycoses in the United States, 1980-1982.

To evaluate temporal trends in the incidence of systemic mycoses resulting in hospitalization, we reviewed hospital discharge data from the Professional Activity Study of the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities for 1980-1982. In comparison with results from similar studies in 1970 and 1976, the incidences of the mycoses that are more likely to be opportunistic and/or hospital-acquired infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis) increased in 1980-1982 as did the incidences of sporotrichosis and actinomycosis. At the same time the incidences of most community-acquired mycoses (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and blastomycosis) remained stable or declined. These results are consistent with the increasing number of immunocompromised patients with severe underlying illnesses, who are at risk of developing opportunistic mycoses.