IFI = invasive fungal infections. What is that? A misnomer, because a non-invasive fungal infection does not exist!

In principle, one has to differentiate between a mere colonization and an invasive fungal infection (IFI) with quite different clinical manifestations and consequences. If the term invasive were used in its proper sense (expressis verbis), all fungal infections could be called invasive, even a fungal keratitis or an infection of the hairs by dermatophytes. In general, however, the term IFI is used only to characterize systemic, generalized, deep-seated, visceral and severe, life-threatening fungal infections, in contrast to superficial, local, benign, self-limiting fungal diseases. The term IFI as used generally is thus misleading, confusing, and not at all helpful to correctly differentiate mild, moderate, and severe fungal infections. (C) 2009 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.