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Naranjo-Bravo J, Romero-Romero D, Contreras-Rodríguez A, Aguilera-Arreola MG, Parra-Ortega B. Candida Isolation During COVID-19: Microbiological Findings of a Prospective Study in a Regional Hospital. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:103038. [PMID: 39018939 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged hospitalization due to the COVID-19 pandemic gathered risk factors for developing invasive candidiasis. AIM To describe Candida spp. isolated from patients with clinical suspicion of COVID treated in a public hospital specialized in COVID-19 during the pandemic, considering the susceptibility profiles and the risk factors related to the species detected in a positive yeast culture. METHODS From different samples of 33 patients with comorbidities, 42 clinical isolates were identified by VITEKⓇ MS Plus. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using VITEKⓇ 2 Compact with the AST-YS08 card. RESULTS The most frequently identified species were C. albicans and C. glabrata, which were also the most common co-infections, Saprochaete capitata, an uncommon yeast was isolated in one patient. 85% of the co-infections were COVID positive and 100% of patients with a co-infection required mechanical ventilation (MV) which has been described as one of the major predisposing factors to candidiasis. Candida species vary in their response to treatment. In this study, 44% of isolates identified as C. glabrata were fluconazole-resistant, which were also immediately susceptible to caspofungin; this profile limits therapeutic options and emphasizes the importance of evaluating the susceptibility profile. CONCLUSIONS This work highlights the increase in isolation of different Candida species during COVID-19 and the importance of establishing criteria to declare Candida colonization or infection and the correct etiological identification to establish an agent-based antifungal treatment, to reduce the spreading risk of Candida spp. in the hospital environment, mortality, time, and cost of hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaquelin Naranjo-Bravo
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory. Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; General Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Romero-Romero
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory. Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Hospital General de Zone 252, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Atlacomulco, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Araceli Contreras-Rodríguez
- General Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ma Guadalupe Aguilera-Arreola
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory. Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Berenice Parra-Ortega
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory. Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; General Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Al-Kenani HQM, Shaheed OM. Evaluation of some immunological markers in co-infection of COVID-19 with thrush candidiasis. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2024; 70:e20230845. [PMID: 38747876 PMCID: PMC11095970 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20230845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE COVID-19 infection poses significant risks, including life-threatening consequences and fungus synchronization, making it a significant concern. This study seeks to assess the effect of concurrent infection of COVID-19 with Thrush Candida albicans on the patient's health state by measuring the proportion of immune cells and certain interleukins such as IL-8, -10, -17, and -33. METHODS The study involved 70 patients (30 patients with COVID-19, 17 patients with thrush candidiasis, and 23 patients with Thrush Candida albicans) and 50 healthy individuals as a control group. COVID-19 was identified using RT-PCR, while C. albicans were identified through culture media, biochemical testing, and oral swabs. Ruby equipment and ELISA kits were used for blood counts and interleukin detection. RESULTS COVID-19, thrush candidiasis, and Thrush Candida albicans infections occur in a wide range of age groups (4-80 years), with no significant differences between sexes (p>0.05). Immunologically, our study found that Thrush Candida albicans patients had the highest rate of neutrophils (89.6%) and basophils (2.01%), while corona patients had the highest percentage of lymphocytes (70.12%) and eosinophils (7.11%), and patients with thrush candidiasis had the highest percentage of monocytes. Thrush Candida albicans patients showed increased IL-8 (56.7 pg/mL) and IL-17 (101.1 pg/mL) concentrations, with the greatest concentration of IL-33 (200.5 pg/mL) in COVID-19, and a decrease in the level of IL-10 in patient groups compared with controls. CONCLUSION Patient groups showed increased neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and IL-8 levels, with a significant linear association between proinflammatory interleukins and these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Orass Madhi Shaheed
- University of Al-Qadisiyah, College of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology – Diwaniya, Iraq
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3
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Hefny ZA, Ji B, Elsemman IE, Nielsen J, Van Dijck P. Transcriptomic meta-analysis to identify potential antifungal targets in Candida albicans. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:66. [PMID: 38413885 PMCID: PMC10898158 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03213-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen causing human infections. Here we investigated differential gene expression patterns and functional enrichment in C. albicans strains grown under different conditions. METHODS A systematic GEO database search identified 239 "Candida albicans" datasets, of which 14 were selected after rigorous criteria application. Retrieval of raw sequencing data from the ENA database was accompanied by essential metadata extraction from dataset descriptions and original articles. Pre-processing via the tailored nf-core pipeline for C. albicans involved alignment, gene/transcript quantification, and diverse quality control measures. Quality assessment via PCA and DESeq2 identified significant genes (FDR < = 0.05, log2-fold change > = 1 or <= -1), while topGO conducted GO term enrichment analysis. Exclusions were made based on data quality and strain relevance, resulting in the selection of seven datasets from the SC5314 strain background for in-depth investigation. RESULTS The meta-analysis of seven selected studies unveiled a substantial number of genes exhibiting significant up-regulation (24,689) and down-regulation (18,074). These differentially expressed genes were further categorized into 2,497 significantly up-regulated and 2,573 significantly down-regulated Gene Ontology (GO) IDs. GO term enrichment analysis clustered these terms into distinct groups, providing insights into the functional implications. Three target gene lists were compiled based on previous studies, focusing on central metabolism, ion homeostasis, and pathogenicity. Frequency analysis revealed genes with higher occurrence within the identified GO clusters, suggesting their potential as antifungal targets. Notably, the genes TPS2, TPS1, RIM21, PRA1, SAP4, and SAP6 exhibited higher frequencies within the clusters. Through frequency analysis within the GO clusters, several key genes emerged as potential targets for antifungal therapies. These include RSP5, GLC7, SOD2, SOD5, SOD1, SOD6, SOD4, SOD3, and RIM101 which exhibited higher occurrence within the identified clusters. CONCLUSION This comprehensive study significantly advances our understanding of the dynamic nature of gene expression in C. albicans. The identification of genes with enhanced potential as antifungal drug targets underpins their value for future interventions. The highlighted genes, including TPS2, TPS1, RIM21, PRA1, SAP4, SAP6, RSP5, GLC7, SOD2, SOD5, SOD1, SOD6, SOD4, SOD3, and RIM101, hold promise for the development of targeted antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Abdelmoghis Hefny
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
| | - Boyang Ji
- BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, Copenhagen, DK2200, Denmark
| | - Ibrahim E Elsemman
- Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Computers and Information, Assiut University, Assiut, 2071515, Egypt
| | - Jens Nielsen
- BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, Copenhagen, DK2200, Denmark.
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, SE41296, Gothenburg, SE41296, Sweden.
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium.
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Wang Y, Xu J, Ben Abid F, Salah H, Sundararaju S, Al Ismail K, Wang K, Sara Matthew L, Taj-Aldeen S, Ibrahim EB, Tang P, Perez-Lopez A, Tsui CKM. Population genomic analyses reveal high diversity, recombination and nosocomial transmission among Candida glabrata ( Nakaseomyces glabrata) isolates causing invasive infections. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001179. [PMID: 38226964 PMCID: PMC10868614 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida glabrata is a commensal yeast of the gastrointestinal tract and skin of humans. However, it causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, and is the second most common Candida pathogen causing bloodstream infections. Although there are many studies on the epidemiology of C. glabrata infections, the fine- and large-scale geographical nature of C. glabrata remain incompletely understood. Here we investigated both the fine- and large-scale population structure of C. glabrata through genome sequencing of 80 clinical isolates obtained from six tertiary hospitals in Qatar and by comparing with global collections. Our fine-scale analyses revealed high genetic diversity within the Qatari population of C. glabrata and identified signatures of recombination, inbreeding and clonal expansion within and between hospitals, including evidence for nosocomial transmission among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. In addition to signatures of recombination at the population level, both MATa and MATα alleles were detected in most hospitals, indicating the potential for sexual reproduction in clinical environments. Comparisons with global samples showed that the Qatari C. glabrata population was very similar to those from other parts of the world, consistent with the significant role of recent anthropogenic activities in shaping its population structure. Genome-wide association studies identified both known and novel genomic variants associated with reduced susceptibilities to fluconazole, 5-flucytosine and echinocandins. Together, our genomic analyses revealed the diversity, transmission patterns and antifungal drug resistance mechanisms of C. glabrata in Qatar as well as the relationships between Qatari isolates and those from other parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fatma Ben Abid
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Communicable Disease Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Husam Salah
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Khalil Al Ismail
- Communicable Disease Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kun Wang
- Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Saad Taj-Aldeen
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Emad B. Ibrahim
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Tang
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Andres Perez-Lopez
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Clement K. M. Tsui
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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5
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Chaudhari V, Vairagade V, Thakkar A, Shende H, Vora A. Nanotechnology-based fungal detection and treatment: current status and future perspective. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:77-97. [PMID: 37597093 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Fungal infections impose a significant impact on global health and encompass major expenditures in medical treatments. Human mycoses, a fungal co-infection associated with SARS-CoV-2, is caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens and is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Recently, there is increasing threat about spread of antimicrobial resistance in fungus, mostly in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections are associated with several issues, including tedious and non-selective detection methods, the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, severe side effects, and ineffective drug delivery. Thus, a rapid and sensitive diagnostic method and a high-efficacy and low-toxicity therapeutic approach are needed. Nanomedicine has emerged as a viable option for overcoming these limitations. Due to the unique physicochemical and optical properties of nanomaterials and newer biosensing techniques, nanodiagnostics play an important role in the accurate and prompt differentiation and detection of fungal diseases. Additionally, nano-based drug delivery techniques can increase drug permeability, reduce adverse effects, and extend systemic circulation time and drug half-life. This review paper is aimed at highlighting recent, promising, and unique trends in nanotechnology to design and develop diagnostics and treatment methods for fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Chaudhari
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Vaishnavi Vairagade
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Ami Thakkar
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Himani Shende
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Amisha Vora
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India.
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Lass-Flörl C, Steixner S. The changing epidemiology of fungal infections. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 94:101215. [PMID: 37804792 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases are common complications in critically ill patients and in those with significant underlying imbalanced immune systems. Fungal co-, and/or super-infections are emerging and have become a rising concern within the last few years. In Europe, cases of candidiasis and aspergillosis dominate, followed by mucormycosis in India. Epidemiological studies show an increasing trend in the incidence of all three entities. Parallel to this, a shift within the underlying fungal pathogens is observed. More non-albicans Candida infections and aspergillosis with cryptic species are on the rise; cryptic species may cover intrinsic resistance to azoles and other antifungal drugs. The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to a significantly increasing incidence of invasive fungal diseases among hospitalized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Stephan Steixner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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Koulenti D, Karvouniaris M, Paramythiotou E, Koliakos N, Markou N, Paranos P, Meletiadis J, Blot S. Severe Candida infections in critically ill patients with COVID-19. JOURNAL OF INTENSIVE MEDICINE 2023; 3:291-297. [PMID: 38028641 PMCID: PMC10658040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jointm.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The frequency of co-infections with bacterial or fungal pathogens has constantly increased among critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the pandemic. Candidemia was the most frequently reported invasive fungal co-infection. The onset of candidemia in COVID-19 patients was often delayed compared to non-COVID-19 patients. Additionally, Candida invasive infections in COVID-19 patients were more often linked to invasive procedures (e.g., invasive mechanical ventilation or renal replacement therapy) during the intensive care stay and the severity of illness rather than more "classic" risk factors present in patients without COVID-19 (e.g., underlying diseases and prior hospitalization). Moreover, apart from the increased incidence of candidemia during the pandemic, a worrying rise in fluconazole-resistant strains was reported, including a rise in the multidrug-resistant Candida auris. Regarding outcomes, the development of invasive Candida co-infection had a negative impact, increasing morbidity and mortality compared to non-co-infected COVID-19 patients. In this narrative review, we present and critically discuss information on the diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida spp. in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Koulenti
- Second Critical Care Department, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | - Nikolaos Koliakos
- Second Critical Care Department, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Markou
- ICU of Latseio Burns Centre, General Hospital of Elefsis ‘Thriasio’, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalis Paranos
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Joseph Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stijn Blot
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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8
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Kaur G, Chawla S, Kumar P, Singh R. Advancing Vaccine Strategies against Candida Infections: Exploring New Frontiers. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1658. [PMID: 38005990 PMCID: PMC10674196 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, along with several non-albicans Candida species, comprise a prominent fungal pathogen in humans, leading to candidiasis in various organs. The global impact of candidiasis in terms of disease burden, suffering, and fatalities is alarmingly high, making it a pressing global healthcare concern. Current treatment options rely on antifungal drugs such as azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins but are delimited due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains and associated adverse effects. The current review highlights the striking absence of a licensed antifungal vaccine for human use and the urgent need to shift our focus toward developing an anti-Candida vaccine. A number of factors affect the development of vaccines against fungal infections, including the host, intraspecies and interspecies antigenic variations, and hence, a lack of commercial interest. In addition, individuals with a high risk of fungal infection tend to be immunocompromised, so they are less likely to respond to inactivated or subunit whole organisms. Therefore, it is pertinent to discover newer and novel alternative strategies to develop safe and effective vaccines against fungal infections. This review article provides an overview of current vaccination strategies (live attenuated, whole-cell killed, subunit, conjugate, and oral vaccine), including their preclinical and clinical data on efficacy and safety. We also discuss the mechanisms of immune protection against candidiasis, including the role of innate and adaptive immunity and potential biomarkers of protection. Challenges, solutions, and future directions in vaccine development, namely, exploring novel adjuvants, harnessing the trained immunity, and utilizing immunoinformatics approaches for vaccine design and development, are also discussed. This review concludes with a summary of key findings, their implications for clinical practice and public health, and a call to action for continued investment in candidiasis vaccine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurpreet Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Chandigarh College of Technology (CCT), Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC), Landran, Mohali 140307, India
| | - Sonam Chawla
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sector 62, Noida 201309, India; (S.C.)
| | - Piyush Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sector 62, Noida 201309, India; (S.C.)
| | - Ritu Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sector 62, Noida 201309, India; (S.C.)
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Ali MO, Alva B, Nagaral S, Patil R, Khan MU, Tiwari DA. Association Between Candida albicans and COVID-19 in Complete Denture Wearers: An Observational Study. Cureus 2023; 15:e47777. [PMID: 38022199 PMCID: PMC10676466 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The phenomenon of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related candidiasis is gaining increased attention and acknowledgment as an integral component of the severe consequences of COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between Candida albicans and COVID-19 in complete denture wearers. Materials and methods An observational study was conducted on 45 complete denture wearers, who were divided into three groups as follows: Group 1, 15 subjects with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection; Group 2, 15 subjects with severe COVID-19 infection; and Group 3, 15 subjects without COVID-19 infection. Mean colony forming units (CFU) were observed on agar plates containing Sabouraud dextrose in the salivary samples of the participants. Analysis of variance, followed by post-hoc analysis by Tukey's test, was used to compare CFU between the groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to study the correlation between variables. Results The highest average colony-forming units of Candida albicans were observed in Group 2, followed by Group 1, compared to the control group, and a significant (p<0.001) difference was found. A weak positive correlation was found between the age of the patients and the duration of denture usage, as well as between age and the counts of Candida albicans in Groups 1 and 3. This correlation was more pronounced in Group 3. A strong positive correlation was observed in all groups between the Candida albicans count and the duration of denture usage by the patients. Conclusion The association between Candida albicans and denture wear was compounded by the presence of COVID-19. Consequently, the timely identification of Candida albicans infection in patients with COVID-19 is important to establish more efficacious approaches for antifungal treatment and prophylactic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Osman Ali
- Department of Dentistry, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, IND
| | - Babashankar Alva
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangaluru, IND
| | - Suresh Nagaral
- Department of Prosthodontics, JMF's ACPM Dental College, Dhule, IND
| | - Rohit Patil
- Department of Prosthodontics, JMF's ACPM Dental College, Dhule, IND
| | | | - Durgesh A Tiwari
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Yogita Dental College and Hospital, Khed, IND
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10
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Quiroga-Vargas E, Loyola-Cruz MÁ, Rojas-Bernabé A, Moreno-Eutimio MA, Pastelin-Palacios R, Cruz-Cruz C, Durán-Manuel EM, Calzada-Mendoza C, Castro-Escarpulli G, Hernández-Hernández G, Cureño-Díaz MA, Fernández-Sánchez V, Bello-López JM. Typing of Candida spp. from Colonized COVID-19 Patients Reveal Virulent Genetic Backgrounds and Clonal Dispersion. Pathogens 2023; 12:1206. [PMID: 37887722 PMCID: PMC10610241 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 allowed the survival of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. However, due to the clinical characteristics of severe patients, they resulted in the appearance of colonization events. Therefore, we speculate that strains of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients have virulent genetic and phenotypic backgrounds involved in clinical worsening of patients. The aim of this work was to virutype Candida spp. strains isolated from colonized COVID-19 patients, analyze their genomic diversity, and establish clonal dispersion in care areas. The virulent potential of Candida spp. strains isolated from colonized COVID-19 patients was determined through adhesion tests and the search for genes involved with adherence and invasion. Clonal association was done by analysis of intergenic spacer regions. Six species of Candida were involved as colonizing pathogens in COVID-19 patients. The genotype analysis revealed the presence of adherent and invasive backgrounds. The distribution of clones was identified in the COVID-19 care areas, where C. albicans was the predominant species. Evidence shows that Candida spp. have the necessary genetic tools to be able colonize the lungs, and could be a possible causal agent of coinfections in COVID-19 patients. The detection of dispersion of opportunistic pathogens can be unnoticed by classical epidemiology. Epidemiological surveillance against opportunistic fungal pathogens in COVID-19 patients is an immediate need, since the findings presented demonstrate the potential virulence of Candida spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Quiroga-Vargas
- Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, Mexico (M.Á.L.-C.); (E.M.D.-M.); (M.A.C.-D.)
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico (C.C.-M.)
| | - Miguel Ángel Loyola-Cruz
- Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, Mexico (M.Á.L.-C.); (E.M.D.-M.); (M.A.C.-D.)
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Araceli Rojas-Bernabé
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico (C.C.-M.)
| | - Mario Adán Moreno-Eutimio
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.A.M.-E.); (R.P.-P.)
| | - Rodolfo Pastelin-Palacios
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.A.M.-E.); (R.P.-P.)
| | - Clemente Cruz-Cruz
- Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, Mexico (M.Á.L.-C.); (E.M.D.-M.); (M.A.C.-D.)
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico (C.C.-M.)
| | - Emilio Mariano Durán-Manuel
- Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, Mexico (M.Á.L.-C.); (E.M.D.-M.); (M.A.C.-D.)
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico (C.C.-M.)
| | - Claudia Calzada-Mendoza
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico (C.C.-M.)
| | - Graciela Castro-Escarpulli
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Geovanni Hernández-Hernández
- Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, Mexico (M.Á.L.-C.); (E.M.D.-M.); (M.A.C.-D.)
- Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | | | - Verónica Fernández-Sánchez
- Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, Mexico (M.Á.L.-C.); (E.M.D.-M.); (M.A.C.-D.)
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico
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11
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Usach I, Martínez-Álvarez P, Peris JE. Topical delivery systems containing clotrimazole for the management of candidiasis: Effect of different excipients and enhanced antifungal activity of nanovesicles. Int J Pharm 2023; 644:123287. [PMID: 37536641 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
WHO classified Candida albicans as one of the four critical priority fungi for public health worldwide in 2022. Conventional topical formulations commercially available for the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis are associated with low drug bioavailability at the infection site and the lack of a sustained therapeutic effect. The main objectives of this work were to develop new topical administration systems of clotrimazole (CLT) and study the influence of surfactants on the antifungal inhibitory efficacy. Therefore, the minimum concentration of CLT required to inhibit 50 % of growth (MIC50) was determined, obtaining a value of approximately 15 ng/mL. A non-ionic emulsion type 1, Beeler base cream, hydrogel and liposomes containing CLT were designed, prepared, characterized and their antifungal activity against C. albicans was tested. CLT loaded liposomes were small in size (102 nm), homogeneous (polydispersity index = 0.3) and uncharged (+0.07 mV), showing higher antifungal activity against C. albicans than that of the commercially available cream Canesten®. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of CLT was reduced in combination with surfactants such as Tween-80/Span-80 or Brij-S10. Sodium lauryl sulphate showed a fungicidal effect that disappeared when formulated as part of the Beeler base cream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Usach
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Avda. V. Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Paula Martínez-Álvarez
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Avda. V. Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - José-Esteban Peris
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Avda. V. Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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12
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Kozlova O, Burygina E, Khostelidi S, Shadrivova O, Saturnov A, Gusev D, Rysev A, Zavrazhnov A, Vashukova M, Pichugina G, Mitichkin M, Kovyrshin S, Bogomolova T, Borzova Y, Oganesyan E, Vasilyeva N, Klimko N. Invasive Candidiasis in Adult Patients with COVID-19: Results of a Multicenter Study in St. Petersburg, Russia. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:927. [PMID: 37755035 PMCID: PMC10532874 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We studied the risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes of COVID-19-associated invasive candidiasis (COVID-IC) in adult patients admitted to six medical facilities in St. Petersburg. (November 2020-December 2022). In this retrospective study, we included 72 patients with COVID-IC with a median age of 61 years (range 29-96), 51% of whom were women. The predisposing factors for COVID-IC were a central venous catheter (CVC) for more than 10 days (the odds ratio (OR) = 70 [15-309]), abdominal surgical treatment performed in the previous 2 weeks (OR = 8.8 [1.9-40.3]), bacteremia (OR = 10.6 [4.8-23.3]), pulmonary ventilation (OR = 12.9 [5.9-28.4]), and hemodialysis (OR = 11.5 [2.5-50.8]). The signs and symptoms of COVID-IC were non-specific: fever (59%), renal failure (33%), liver failure (23%), and cardiovascular failure (10%). Candida albicans (41%) predominated among the pathogens of the candidemia. The multidrug-resistant Candida species C. auris (23%) and C. glabrata (5%) were also identified. Empirical therapy was used in 21% of COVID-IC patients: azole-93%, echinocandin-7%. The majority of COVID-IC patients (79%) received, after laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of IC, fluconazole (47%), voriconazole (25%), echinocandin (26%), and amphotericin B (2)%. The 30 days overall survival rate was 45%. The prognosis worsened concomitant bacteremia, hemodialysis, and long-term therapy by systemic glucocorticosteroids (SGCs), bronchial colonization with Candida spp. The survival prognosis was improved by the early change/replacement of CVC (within 24 h), the initiation of empirical therapy, and the use of echinocandin. Conclusions: We highlighted the risk factors that predispose COVID-19 patients to candidiasis and worsen the survival prognosis. Their individual effects in patients with COVID-19 must be well understood to prevent the development of opportunistic co-infections that drastically lower chances of survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Kozlova
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Ekaterina Burygina
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Sofya Khostelidi
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Olga Shadrivova
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Andrey Saturnov
- Leningrad Regional Hospital, 194291 Saint-Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Denis Gusev
- Botkin’s Hospital, 195067 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (D.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Aleksandr Rysev
- Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine n.a. I.I. Dzhanelidze, 192242 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (A.R.); (G.P.)
| | | | - Maria Vashukova
- Botkin’s Hospital, 195067 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (D.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Galina Pichugina
- Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine n.a. I.I. Dzhanelidze, 192242 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (A.R.); (G.P.)
| | - Mikhail Mitichkin
- City Mariinskaya Hospital, 191014 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (A.Z.); (M.M.)
| | - Sergey Kovyrshin
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Tatiana Bogomolova
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Yulia Borzova
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Ellina Oganesyan
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Natalya Vasilyeva
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
| | - Nikolay Klimko
- Kashkin Research Institute of Medical Mycology; North-Western State Medical University Named after I.I. Mechnikov, 191015 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (E.B.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (T.B.); (Y.B.); (E.O.); (N.V.); (N.K.)
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13
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Tsai CS, Lee SSJ, Chen WC, Tseng CH, Lee NY, Chen PL, Li MC, Syue LS, Lo CL, Ko WC, Hung YP. COVID-19-associated candidiasis and the emerging concern of Candida auris infections. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023; 56:672-679. [PMID: 36543722 PMCID: PMC9747227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of COVID-19-associated candidiasis (CAC) is increasing, resulting in a grave outcome among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The most alarming condition is the increasing incidence of multi-drug resistant Candida auris infections among patients with COVID-19 worldwide. The therapeutic strategy towards CAC caused by common Candida species, such as Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata, is similar to the pre-pandemic era. For non-critically ill patients or those with a low risk of azole resistance, fluconazole remains the drug of choice for candidemia. For critically ill patients, those with a history of recent azole exposure or with a high risk of fluconazole resistance, echinocandins are recommended as the first-line therapy. Several novel therapeutic agents alone or in combination with traditional antifungal agents for candidiasis are potential options in the future. However, for multidrug-resistant C. auris infection, only echinocandins are effective. Infection prevention and control policies, including strict isolation of the patients carrying C. auris and regular screening of non-affected patients, are suggested to prevent the spread of C. auris among patients with COVID-19. Whole-genome sequencing may be used to understand the epidemiology of healthcare-associated candidiasis and to better control and prevent these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Shiang Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Yunlin, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center for Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Susan Shin-Jung Lee
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chen Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Changhua Christian Children's Hospital, Changhua City, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hao Tseng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Yao Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center for Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Lin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center for Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chi Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center for Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Shan Syue
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center for Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Lung Lo
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center for Infection Control, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chien Ko
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Yuan-Pin Hung
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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14
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Singh R, Malik P, Kumar M, Kumar R, Alam MS, Mukherjee TK. Secondary fungal infections in SARS-CoV-2 patients: pathological whereabouts, cautionary measures, and steadfast treatments. Pharmacol Rep 2023:10.1007/s43440-023-00506-z. [PMID: 37354313 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00506-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The earliest documented COVID-19 case caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus occurred in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, several SARS-CoV-2 mutants have rapidly disseminated as exemplified by the community spread of the recent omicron variant. The disease already attained a pandemic status with ever-dwindling mortality even after two and half years of identification and considerable vaccination. Aspergillosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis and mucormycosis are the prominent fungal infections experienced by the majority of SARS-CoV-2 high-risk patients. In its entirety, COVID-19's nexus with these fungal infections may worsen the intricacies in the already beleaguered high-risk patients, making this a topic of substantial clinical concern. Thus, thorough knowledge of the subject is necessary. This article focuses on the concomitant fungal infection(s) in COVID-19 patients, taking into account their underlying causes, the screening methods, manifested drug resistance, and long-term effects. The information and knowledge shared herein could be crucial for the management of critically ill, aged, and immunocompromised SARS-CoV-2 patients who have had secondary fungal infections (SFIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
| | - Parth Malik
- School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
| | - Raman Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
| | - Md Shamshir Alam
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, PO Box 620, 130, Bosher-Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Tapan Kumar Mukherjee
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector-125, Noida, UP, India.
- Department of Biotechnology, Amity University, Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Rajarhat, New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700135, India.
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15
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Adzic-Vukicevic T, Mladenovic M, Jovanovic S, Soldatović I, Radovanovic-Spurnic A. Invasive fungal disease in COVID-19 patients: a single-center prospective observational study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1084666. [PMID: 37359005 PMCID: PMC10288186 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1084666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are caused by fungal infections that manifest as serious secondary infections in patients with COVID-19. The increased morbidity and mortality rates are most frequently observed in patients with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and COVID-19-associated candidiasis (CAC). CAPA is the most frequently encountered infection with an incidence rate of 0.7-7.7%, while CAC is a less common and less studied fungal infection in COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods The present article is a prospective observational single-center study that was conducted between 1 September 2021 and 24 December 2021, involving 6,335 patients who were admitted to COVID Hospital "Batajnica," University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. Results Of the 6,335 patients hospitalized during the four-month period of the study, 120 patients (1.86%) who had a proven diagnosis of IFD were included in the study. These patients were divided into two groups: CAPA patients (n = 63) and CAC patients (n = 56); however, one of the 120 patients was diagnosed with Cryptoccocus neoformans infection. The mean age of the study population was 65.7 ± 13.9 years, and 78 (65.5%) of them were men. The patients were identified to have the following non-malignant comorbidities: arterial hypertension in 62 (52.1%) patients, diabetes mellitus in 34 (28.65), pre-existing lung damage similar to that observed in COPD and asthma in 20 (16.8%), and chronic renal insufficiency in 13 (10.9%) patients. The hematological malignancies were found to be the most prevalent malignancies and were identified in 20 (16.8%) patients, particularly in CAPA patients [11 (17.5%); p < 0.041]. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and microscopic examination confirmed the presence of fungal infections in 17 (14.3%) patients. Serology testing was also performed in the majority of cases. Antibodies against Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. were predominantly found in CAPA patients (p < 0.001). The patients were also tested for the presence of (1-3)-β-D glucan (p < 0.019), galactomannan, and mannan in the specimens. Blood cultures were found to be positive in 45 (37.8%) patients, mostly in CAC patients. Mechanical ventilation was applied in 41 (34.5%) patients, while a non-invasive technique, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), was used in 20 (16.8%) patients. The following antifungals were administered: echinocandins in 42 (35.3%), voriconazole in 30 (25.2%), and fluconazole in 27 (22.7%) patients. Most of the patients received systemic corticosteroids (mainly methylprednisolone), while 11 (9.16%) received favipiravir, 32 (26.67%) remdesivir, 8 (6.67%) casirivimab/imdevimab, and 5 (4.16%) sotrovimab. The outcome was lethal in 76 (63.9%) patients, predominantly CAC patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion Invasive fungal disease is a severe complication associated with COVID-19 and accounts for increased mortality in these patients. Early identification and appropriate treatment may provide a favorable outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Adzic-Vukicevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Covid Hospital Batajnica, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic for Pulmonology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Mladenovic
- Covid Hospital Batajnica, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snezana Jovanovic
- Covid Hospital Batajnica, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Soldatović
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Radovanovic-Spurnic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Covid Hospital Batajnica, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Center for Microbiology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
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Gregorczyk-Maga I, Kania M, Sulik-Tyszka B, Namysł M, Sepioło A, Romaniszyn D, Jachowicz-Matczak E, Wójkowska-Mach J. Oral Myco- and Bacteriobiota and Yeast Infections in Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1442. [PMID: 37374944 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit are at risk of developing invasive candidiasis. In this study we aimed to (1) characterize oral cultivable mycobiota of mechanically ventilated adult COVID-19 patients in an ICU setting by sampling four distinct oral niches in two fixed time points with regards to oral health status, (2) investigate Candida spp. infections in this population, and (3) compare oral mycobiota with selected bacteriobiota strains during the observation in the ICU. We recruited 56 adult COVID-19 patients who qualified for mechanical ventilation. Patients received either standard or extended oral care procedures with tooth brushing. Oral samples were taken first within 36 h and after 7 days of intubation. Yeast-like fungi were identified by MALDI/TOF mass spectrometry. Yeast infection cases were retrospectively analyzed. Candida spp. in oral sampling was identified in 80.4% and 75.7%, C. albicans in 57.1% and 61.1%, and non-albicans Candida species in 48.2% and 47.2% patients at baseline and follow-up, respectively. There were no differences in the overall CFU counts of Candida spp. species and individual Candida species in oral samples, both at baseline and follow-up. At baseline, a higher prevalence of Candida spp. was associated with a higher identification rate of Lactobacillus spp. (64.4% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.041). At follow-up, there was a borderline lower prevalence of Candida spp. in patients with Lactobacillus spp. identified (57.1% vs. 87.0%, p = 0.057). The incidence rate of candidiasis was 5.4% and the incidence density was 3.1/1000 pds. In conclusion, non-albicans Candida species in oral samples were identified in nearly half of patients. Oral health was moderately impaired. A high incidence of yeast infections, including invasive cases, in patients hospitalized in the ICU due to COVID-19 and requiring mechanical ventilation was noted. Severe COVID-19 and disease-specific interventions within the ICU possibly played a major role promoting Candida spp. infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Gregorczyk-Maga
- Institute of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Montelupich 4, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
| | - Michal Kania
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. św. Anny 12, 31-008 Kraków, Poland
- Chair of Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Jakubowskiego 2, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Beata Sulik-Tyszka
- Department of Dental Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1A, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Namysł
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital in Krakow, Jakubowskiego Street 2, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Sepioło
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital in Krakow, Jakubowskiego Street 2, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Dorota Romaniszyn
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Czysta 18, 31-121 Kraków, Poland
| | - Estera Jachowicz-Matczak
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Czysta 18, 31-121 Kraków, Poland
| | - Jadwiga Wójkowska-Mach
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Czysta 18, 31-121 Kraków, Poland
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17
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Negm EM, Mohamed MS, Rabie RA, Fouad WS, Beniamen A, Mosallem A, Tawfik AE, Salama HM. Fungal infection profile in critically ill COVID-19 patients: a prospective study at a large teaching hospital in a middle-income country. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:246. [PMID: 37072718 PMCID: PMC10111294 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08226-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critically ill COVID-19 patients are highly susceptible to opportunistic fungal infection due to many factors, including virus-induced immune dysregulation, host-related comorbidities, overuse and misuse of antibiotics or corticosteroids, immune modulator drugs, and the emergencies caused by the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the incidence, identify the potential risk factors, and examine the impact of fungal coinfection on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS A prospective cohort study including 253 critically ill COVID-19 patients aged 18 years or older admitted to the isolation ICU of Zagazig University Hospitals over a 4-month period from May 2021 to August 2021 was conducted. The detection of a fungal infection was carried out. RESULTS Eighty-three (83) patients (32.8%) were diagnosed with a fungal coinfection. Candida was the most frequently isolated fungus in 61 (24.1%) of 253 critically ill COVID-19 patients, followed by molds, which included Aspergillus 11 (4.3%) and mucormycosis in five patients (1.97%), and six patients (2.4%) diagnosed with other rare fungi. Poor diabetic control, prolonged or high-dose steroids, and multiple comorbidities were all possible risk factors for fungal coinfection [OR (95% CI) = 10.21 (3.43-30.39), 14.1 (5.67-35.10), 14.57 (5.83-33.78), and 4.57 (1.83-14.88), respectively]. CONCLUSION Fungal coinfection is a common complication of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are the most common COVID-19-associated fungal infections and have a great impact on mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essamedin M Negm
- Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Management Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Sorour Mohamed
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Rehab A Rabie
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Walaa S Fouad
- Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Beniamen
- Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Management Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Mosallem
- Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Management Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | - Hussein M Salama
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt
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18
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Valand N, Gazioglu O, Yesilkaya H, Shivkumar M, Horley N, Arroo R, Wallis R, Kishore U, Venkatraman Girija U. Interactions of Candida tropicalis pH-related antigen 1 with complement proteins C3, C3b, factor-H, C4BP and complement evasion. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152303. [PMID: 36495597 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Candida, as a part of the human microbiota, can cause opportunistic infections that are either localised or systemic candidiasis. Emerging resistance to the standard antifungal drugs is associated with increased mortality rate due to invasive Candida infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. While there are several species of Candida, an increasing number of Candida tropicalis isolates have been recently reported from patients with invasive candidiasis or inflammatory bowel diseases. In order to establish infections, C. tropicalis has to adopt several strategies to escape the host immune attack. Understanding the immune evasion strategies is of great importance as these can be exploited as novel therapeutic targets. C. albicans pH-related antigen 1 (CaPra1), a surface bound and secretory protein, has been found to interact strongly with the immune system and help in complement evasion. However, the role of C. tropicalis Pra1 (CtPra1) and its interaction with the complement is not studied yet. Thus, we characterised how pH-related antigen 1 of C. tropicalis (CtPra1) interacts with some of the key complement proteins of the innate immune system. CtPra1 was recombinantly produced using a Kluyveromyces lactis yeast expression system. Recombinant CtPra1, was found to bind human C3 and C3b, central molecules of the complement pathways that are important components of the innate immune system. It was also found to bind human complement regulatory proteins factor-H and C4b-binding protein (C4BP). CtPra1-factor-H and CtPra1-C4BP interactions were found to be ionic in nature as the binding intensity affected by high sodium chloride concentrations. CtPra1 inhibited functional complement activation with different effects on classical (∼20 %), lectin (∼25 %) and alternative (∼30 %) pathways. qPCR experiments using C. tropicalis clinical isolates (oral, blood and peritoneal fluid) revealed relatively higher levels of expression of CtPra1 gene when compared to the reference strain. Native CtPra1 was found to be expressed both as membrane-bound and secretory forms in the clinical isolates. Thus, C. tropicalis appears to be a master of immune evasion by using Pra1 protein. Further investigation using in-vivo models will help ascertain if these proteins can be novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Valand
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, UK
| | - Ozcan Gazioglu
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Hasan Yesilkaya
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | | | - Neill Horley
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, UK
| | - Randolph Arroo
- Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, UK
| | - Russell Wallis
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Uday Kishore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, U.A.E. University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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19
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Prajapati J, Rao P, Poojara L, Acharya D, Patel SK, Goswami D, Rawal RM. A Comprehensive in vitro and in silico Assessment on Inhibition of CYP51B and Ergosterol Biosynthesis by Eugenol in Rhizopus oryzae. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:47. [PMID: 36538133 PMCID: PMC9764306 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03108-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mucormycosis, also known as Zygomycosis, is a disease caused by invasive fungi, predominantly Rhizopus species belonging to the Order of Mucorales. Seeing from the chemistry perspective, heterocyclic compounds with an "azole" moiety are widely employed as antifungal agent for minimising the effect of mucormycosis as a prescribed treatment. These azoles serve as non-competitive inhibitors of fungal CYP51B by predominantly binding to its heme moiety, rendering its inhibition. However, long-term usage and abuse of azoles as antifungal medicines has resulted in drug resistance among certain fungal pathogens. Hence, there is an unmet need to find alternative therapeutic compounds. In present study, we used various in vitro tests to investigate the antifungal activity of eugenol against R. oryzae/R. arrhizus, including ergosterol quantification to test inhibition of ergosterol production mediated antifungal action. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value obtained for eugenol was 512 μg/ml with reduced ergosterol concentration of 77.11 ± 3.25% at MIC/2 concentration. Further, the molecular interactions of eugenol with fungal CYP51B were meticulously studied making use of proteomics in silico study including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations that showed eugenol to be strongly interacting with heme in an identical fashion to that shown by azole drugs (in this case, clotrimazole was evaluated). This is the first of a kind study showing the simulation study of eugenol with CYP51B of fungi. This inhibition results in ergosterol synthesis and is also studied and compared with keeping clotrimazole as a reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jignesh Prajapati
- grid.411877.c0000 0001 2152 424XDepartment of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Priyashi Rao
- grid.411877.c0000 0001 2152 424XDepartment of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Lipi Poojara
- grid.411877.c0000 0001 2152 424XDepartment of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Dhaval Acharya
- Department of Microbiology, B N Patel Institute of Paramedical and Sciences, Anand, Gujarat 388001 India
| | - Saumya K. Patel
- grid.411877.c0000 0001 2152 424XDepartment of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat India
| | - Dweipayan Goswami
- grid.411877.c0000 0001 2152 424XDepartment of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Rakesh M. Rawal
- grid.411877.c0000 0001 2152 424XDepartment of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India ,grid.411877.c0000 0001 2152 424XDepartment of Life Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
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20
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Babamahmoodi F, Rezai MS, Ahangarkani F, Mohammadi Kali A, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Alishahi A, Najafi N, Haddadi A, Davoudi A, Azargon L, Daftarian Z, Kordi S, Abbasi K. Multiple Candida strains causing oral infection in COVID-19 patients under corticosteroids and antibiotic therapy: An observational study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1103226. [PMID: 36619762 PMCID: PMC9816329 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1103226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The occurrence of oral candidiasis (OC) is expected in patients with COVID-19, especially those with moderate to severe forms of infection who are hospitalized and may be on long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics or prolonged corticosteroid therapy. We aimed to characterize clinical conditions, the prevalence profile of Candida species, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with OC. Methods In this observational study, oral samples were obtained from COVID-19 patients suspected of OC admitted to Razi teaching hospital. Patients with OC were monitored daily until discharge from the hospital. Species identification was performed by a two-step multiplex assay named YEAST PLEX, which identifies 17 clinically important uncommon to common yeast strains. Results Among the 4133 patients admitted with COVID-19, 120 (2.90%) suffered from OC. The onset of signs and symptoms of OC in patients was, on average (2.92 ± 3.596 days) with a range (of 1-29 days). The most common OC presentation was white or yellow macules on the buccal surface or the tongue. In (39.16%) of patients suffering from OC multiple Candida strains (with two or more Candida spp.) were identified. The most common Candida species were C. albicans (60.57%), followed by C. glabrata (17.14%), C. tropicalis (11.42%), C. kefyr (10.83%) and C. krusei (3.42%). Notably, OC caused by multiple Candida strains was more predominant in patients under corticosteroid therapy (P <0.0001), broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy (P = 0.028), and those who used nasal corticosteroid spray (P <0.0001). The majority of patients who recovered from OC at the time of discharge were patients with OC by single Candida species (P = 0.049). Discussion Use of corticosteroids and antimicrobial therapy in COVID-19 patients increases risk of OC by multiple Candida strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhang Babamahmoodi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Sadegh Rezai
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ahangarkani
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran,*Correspondence: Fatemeh Ahangarkani,
| | - Ali Mohammadi Kali
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Reza Alizadeh-Navaei
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Abbas Alishahi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran,Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran,Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Najafi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Azam Haddadi
- Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Alireza Davoudi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Leila Azargon
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Daftarian
- Northbay Medical Center, Vacaville Center for Primary Care, Vacaville, CA, United States
| | - Shirafkan Kordi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Kiana Abbasi
- Department of Microbiology, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
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21
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Candida Species Isolation from Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19-A Retrospective Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12123065. [PMID: 36553072 PMCID: PMC9776868 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a disease characterized by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has so far led to hundreds of millions of infections and millions of deaths. Fungal infections are known to complicate COVID-19 patients and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of positive cultures for Candida spp. among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, describe their characteristics and identify factors associated with overall mortality in this patient population. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with Candida spp. isolation were retrospectively assessed and their clinical, laboratory and microbiological characteristics were assessed and evaluated. In total, 69 patients with COVID-19 had a positive culture for Candida spp., representing a rate of 4.5% among all hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Their median age was 78 years (IQR 67-85 years) and 44.9% were male. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and Candida spp. isolation who died were older, were more likely to have a diagnosis of dementia, and had higher Charlson comorbidity index, higher Candida score and higher 4C score. Candida score was identified with a multivariate logistic regression analysis model to be independently associated with mortality. The most commonly identified Candida species was C. albicans, followed by C. tropicalis and C. glabrata and the most common source was the urine, even though in most cases the positive culture was not associated with a true infection. Thus, Candida score may be used in COVID-19 patients with isolation of Candida spp. from different body specimens for mortality risk stratification.
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22
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Jiang ST, Liu YG, Zhang L, Sang XT, Xu YY, Lu X. Systems biology approach reveals a common molecular basis for COVID-19 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:251. [PMCID: PMC9664052 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00865-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and even more likely to suffer from severe COVID-19. Whether there is a common molecular pathological basis for COVID-19 and NAFLD remains to be identified. The present study aimed to elucidate the transcriptional alterations shared by COVID-19 and NAFLD and to identify potential compounds targeting both diseases.
Methods
Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for COVID-19 and NAFLD were extracted from the GSE147507 and GSE89632 datasets, and common DEGs were identified using the Venn diagram. Subsequently, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network based on the common DEGs and extracted hub genes. Then, we performed gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis of common DEGs. In addition, transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs regulatory networks were constructed, and drug candidates were identified.
Results
We identified a total of 62 common DEGs for COVID-19 and NAFLD. The 10 hub genes extracted based on the PPI network were IL6, IL1B, PTGS2, JUN, FOS, ATF3, SOCS3, CSF3, NFKB2, and HBEGF. In addition, we also constructed TFs–DEGs, miRNAs–DEGs, and protein–drug interaction networks, demonstrating the complex regulatory relationships of common DEGs.
Conclusion
We successfully extracted 10 hub genes that could be used as novel therapeutic targets for COVID-19 and NAFLD. In addition, based on common DEGs, we propose some potential drugs that may benefit patients with COVID-19 and NAFLD.
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23
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Chavda VP, Patel AB, Pandya A, Vora LK, Patravale V, Tambuwala ZM, Aljabali AAA, Serrano-Aroca Á, Mishra V, Tambuwala MM. Co-infection associated with SARS-CoV-2 and their management. Future Sci OA 2022; 8:FSO819. [PMID: 36788985 PMCID: PMC9912272 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2022-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in Wuhan, China and quickly spread throughout the world. This deadly virus moved from person to person, resulting in severe pneumonia, fever, chills and hypoxia. Patients are still experiencing problems after recovering from COVID-19. This review covers COVID-19 and associated issues following recovery from COVID-19, as well as multiorgan damage risk factors and treatment techniques. Several unusual illnesses, including mucormycosis, white fungus infection, happy hypoxia and other systemic abnormalities, have been reported in recovered individuals. In children, multisystem inflammatory syndrome with COVID-19 (MIS-C) is identified. The reasons for this might include uncontrollable steroid usage, reduced immunity, uncontrollable diabetes mellitus and inadequate care following COVID-19 recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek P Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Aayushi B Patel
- Pharmacy Section, LM College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380058, India
| | - Anjali Pandya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, 400 019, India
| | - Lalitkumar K Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Vandana Patravale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, 400 019, India
| | - Zara M Tambuwala
- College of Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Alaa AA Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Irbid, 566, Jordan
| | - Ángel Serrano-Aroca
- Biomaterials & Bioengineering Lab, Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, c/Guillem de Castro 94, Valencia, 46001, Spain
| | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144411, India
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School University of Lincoln, Brayford Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK
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24
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Nazari T, Sadeghi F, Izadi A, Sameni S, Mahmoudi S. COVID-19-associated fungal infections in Iran: A systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271333. [PMID: 35816494 PMCID: PMC9273100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
This systematic review aims to summarize the mycological and clinical features of COVID-19-associated fungal infections (CAFIs) in Iran.
Methods
PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, SID, Magiran, IranDoc, and Google Scholar were searched for Persian and English articles published from January 1, 2020, to November 5, 2021, using a systematic search strategy. Studies on Iranian patients suffering from CAFIs were included in the review.
Results
Twenty-two studies comprising 169 patients were retrieved. Reported CAFIs included candidiasis (85, 50.30%), mucormycosis (35, 20.71%), aspergillosis (29, 17.16%), fusariosis (6, 3.55%), three cases caused by rare pathogens (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Diaporthe foeniculina, and Sarocladium kiliense) and 11 (6.51%) uncharacterized mold infections. The most common underlying diseases were diabetes (67/168, 39.88%), cardiovascular diseases (55/168, 32.74%), and hypertension (43/168, 25.59%). The use of antibiotics (111/124, 89.52%), corticosteroids (93/132, 70.44%), and mechanical ventilation (66, 51.16%) were the most common predisposing factors. Totally, 72 (50.35%) of 143 patients with CAFIs died (data were not available for 26 patients).
Conclusion
Fungal infections are evident to be a complication of COVID-19 in Iran; thus, clinicians should consider them as a differential diagnosis, especially in patients with comorbidities and previous antibiotic or corticosteroid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Nazari
- Department of Medical Geriatrics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Izadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Setayesh Sameni
- Department of Medical Sciences, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Shahram Mahmoudi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail: ,
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