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Ogawa Y, Murata K, Hasegawa K, Nishida K, Gohma I, Kasahara K. Clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary aspergillosis on mechanical ventilation: A single-center retrospective study in Japan. J Infect Chemother 2023; 29:239-243. [PMID: 36379404 PMCID: PMC9657892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aspergillus is one of the important pathogens that contribute to high mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in intensive care units (ICUs). Although incidence rates of Aspergillus coinfection are high globally, a Japanese national survey reported a low incidence. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis at our institute. METHODS We identified patients with microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Of these patients, we identified patients in whom Aspergillus was cultured from the respiratory specimen. RESULTS Of a total of 169 patients, seven had aspergillosis (4.1%), which included three patients, three patients, and one patient with possible, probable, and proven aspergillosis, respectively, according to the criteria of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology International Society. All patients received systemic steroid therapy. Two patients (one each with proven and probable aspergillosis) had tracheobronchitis diagnosed by bronchoscopy. All patients in whom Aspergillus was repeatedly isolated from samples died. The mortality rates for all cases and probable and proven cases were 57% (4/7) and 75% (3/4), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The incidence rate of aspergillosis in patients with COVID-19 in the ICU was higher in our institute than that reported by a Japanese national survey (4.1% vs. 0.5%). Repeated detection of Aspergillus might suggest a true Aspergillus infection, such as chronic aspergillosis, rather than colonization. In patients with severe COVID-19 patients, it is important to always keep CAPA in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Ogawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sakai City Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Kenya Murata
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sakai City Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kohei Hasegawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sakai City Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koji Nishida
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sakai City Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Iwao Gohma
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sakai City Medical Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kei Kasahara
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
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2
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Ogawa M, Niki M, Imoto W, Dobashi A, Imai M, Takayama N, Mitani K, Kakuno S, Shibata W, Yamada K, Kakeya H. Characterization of Aspergillus spp. isolated from patients with coronavirus disease 2019. J Infect Chemother 2023; 29:580-585. [PMID: 36758677 PMCID: PMC9904853 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.02.001] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an important complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and while there are case reports and epidemiological studies, few studies have isolated Aspergillus strains from patients. Therefore, we analyzed the strains, sensitivities, and genetic homology of Aspergillus spp. Isolated from patients with COVID-19. METHODS We investigated the Aspergillus strains detected from patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital from December 2020 to June 2021. A molecular epidemiological analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus was performed using drug susceptibility tests and TRESPERG typing, and data on patient characteristics were collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS Twelve strains of Aspergillus were detected in 11 of the 122 patients (9%) with COVID-19. A. fumigatus was the most common species detected, followed by one strain each of Aspergillus aureolus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus. A. aureolus was resistant to voriconazole, and no resistance was found in other strains. All A. fumigatus strains were genetically distinct strains. Six of the 11 patients that harbored Aspergillus received antifungal drug treatment and tested positive for β-D-glucan and/or Aspergillus galactomannan antigen. The results indicated that Aspergillus infections were acquired from outside the hospital and not from nosocomial infections. CONCLUSION Strict surveillance of Aspergillus spp. is beneficial in patients at high-risk for IPA. When Aspergillus is detected, it is important to monitor the onset of IPA carefully and identify the strain, perform drug sensitivity tests, and facilitate early administration of therapeutic agents to patients with IPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ogawa
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Makoto Niki
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Waki Imoto
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan; Department of Infection Control Science, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan; Department of Infectious Disease Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Akane Dobashi
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Minami Imai
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Naomi Takayama
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Kei Mitani
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Shigeki Kakuno
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan; Department of Infection Control Science, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan; Department of Infectious Disease Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Wataru Shibata
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan; Department of Infection Control Science, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan; Department of Infectious Disease Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Koichi Yamada
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan; Department of Infection Control Science, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan; Department of Infectious Disease Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Kakeya
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan; Department of Infection Control Science, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan; Department of Infectious Disease Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, 1-5-7 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8586, Japan; Research Center for Infectious Disease Sciences, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.
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Pruthi HS. When to Initiate Antifungal Treatment in COVID-19 Patients with Secondary Fungal Co-infection. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 9:60-68. [PMID: 36345368 PMCID: PMC9630809 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-022-00184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Severe-acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been driving the health care delivery system for over 2 years. With time, many issues related to co-infections in COVID-19 patients are constantly surfacing. There have been numerous reports about various fungal co-infections in patients with COVID-19. The extent of severity of fungal pathogens has been recognized as a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Awareness, understanding, and a systematic approach to managing fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients are important. No guidelines have enumerated the stepwise approach to managing the fungal infections co-occurring with COVID-19. This review is intended to present an overview of the fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients and their stepwise screening and management. Recent Findings The most common fungal infections that have been reported to co-exist with COVID-19 are Candidemia, Aspergillosis, and Mucormycosis. Prevalence of co-infections in COVID-19 patients has been reported to be much higher in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially those in intensive care units. While clear pathogenetic mechanisms have not been delineated, COVID-19 patients are at a high risk of invasive fungal infections. Summary As secondary fungal infections have been challenging to treat in COVID-19 patients, as they tend to affect the critically ill or immunocompromised patients, a delay in diagnosis and treatment may be fatal. Antifungal drugs should be initiated with caution after carefully assessing the immune status of the patients, drug interactions, and adverse effects. The crucial factors in successfully treating fungal infections in COVID-19 patients are optimal diagnostic approach, routine screening, and timely initiation of antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harnoor Singh Pruthi
- Deparment of Cardiology, Capitol Hospital, Pathankot Road (NH-44), Jalandhar, Punjab 144012 India
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Baral PK, Aziz MA, Islam MS. Comparative risk assessment of COVID‐19 associated mucormycosis and aspergillosis: A systematic review. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e789. [PMID: 36000078 PMCID: PMC9387898 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID‐19 is not only limited to a defined array but also has expanded with several secondary infections. Two uncommon opportunistic fungal infections, COVID‐19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) and aspergillosis (CAA), have recently been highly acquainted by many worldwide cases. Two immune response deteriorating factors are considered to be responsible for immunosuppression: comorbidities and medication. Due to unlike infection sites and patterns, CAM and CAA‐associated factors deflect a few degrees of proximity, and the present study is for its assessment. The study evaluated 351 CAM cases and 191 CAA cases retrieved from 65 and 53 articles based on inclusion criteria, respectively. Most of the CAM reported from India and CAA were from four South‐European and West‐European neighbor countries. The mean ages of CAM and CAA were 52.72 ± 13.74 and 64.81 ± 11.14, correspondingly. Mortality of CAA (56.28%) was two times greater than CAM (26.02%). Nevertheless, the count of diabetes cases was very high in CAM compared to CAA. The main comorbidities of CAM were diabetes (nearly 80%) and hypertension (more than 38%). All noticeable complications were higher in CAA except diabetes, and these were diabetes (34.55%), hypertension (45.03%), and obesity (18.32%). Moreover, pre‐existing respiratory complications like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are visible in CAA. The uses of steroids in CAM and CAA were nearly 70% and 66%, respectively. Almost one‐fourth of CAA cases were reported using immunosuppressant monoclonal antibodies, whereas only 7.69% were for CAM. The overall finding highlights diabetes, hypertension, and steroids as the risk factors for CAM, whereas obesity, chronic pulmonary disease, and immunosuppressants for CAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prodip Kumar Baral
- Department of Pharmacy Noakhali Science and Technology University Noakhali Bangladesh
| | - Md. Abdul Aziz
- Department of Pharmacy State University of Bangladesh Dhaka Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Safiqul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy Noakhali Science and Technology University Noakhali Bangladesh
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Biology Noakhali Science and Technology University Noakhali Bangladesh
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Antifungal therapy in the management of fungal secondary infections in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271795. [PMID: 35901069 PMCID: PMC9333218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients and efficacy of antifungal therapy used in such patients is still unknown. Hence, we conducted this study to find the prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients and patient outcomes in terms of recovery or all-cause mortality following antifungal therapy (AFT) in such patients. Methods We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed®, Scopus®, Web of Sciences™, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrial.gov, MedRxiv.org, bioRxiv.org, and Google scholar to identify the literature that used antifungal therapy for the management fungal secondary infections in COVID-19 patients. We included case reports, case series, prospective & retrospective studies, and clinical trials. Mantel Haenszel random-effect model was used for estimating pooled risk ratio for required outcomes. Results A total of 33 case reports, 3 case series, and 21 cohort studies were selected for final data extraction and analysis. The prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients was 28.2%. Azoles were the most commonly (65.1%) prescribed AFT. Study shows that high survival frequency among patients using AFT, received combination AFT and AFT used for >28 days. The meta-analysis showed, no significant difference in all-cause mortality between patients who received AFT and without AFT (p = 0.17), between types of AFT (p = 0.85) and the duration of AFT (p = 0.67). Conclusion The prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients was 28.2%. The survival frequency was high among patients who used AFT for fungal secondary infections, received combination AFT and AFT used for >28 days. However, meta-analysis results found that all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients with fungal secondary infections is not significantly associated with type and duration of AFT, mostly due to presence of confounding factors such as small number of events, delay in diagnosis of fungal secondary infections, presence of other co-infections and multiple comorbidities.
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Seyedjavadi SS, Bagheri P, Nasiri MJ, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M, Goudarzi M. Fungal Infection in Co-infected Patients With COVID-19: An Overview of Case Reports/Case Series and Systematic Review. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:888452. [PMID: 35875562 PMCID: PMC9298665 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.888452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal co-infections are frequent in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and can affect patient outcomes and hamper therapeutic efforts. Nonetheless, few studies have investigated fungal co-infections in this population. This study was performed to assess the rate of fungal co-infection in patients with COVID-19 as a systematic review. EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched considering broad-based search criteria associated with COVID-19 and fungal co-infection. We included case reports and case series studies, published in the English language from January 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021, that reported clinical features, diagnosis, and outcomes of fungal co-infection in patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Totally, 54 case reports and 17 case series were identified, and 181 patients (132 men, 47 women, and 2 not mentioned) co-infected with COVID-19 and fungal infection enrolled. The frequency of fungal co-infection among patients with COVID-19 was 49.7, 23.2, 19.8, 6.6, and 0.5% in Asia, America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, respectively. Diabetes (59.6%) and hypertension (35.9%) were found as the most considered comorbidities in COVID-19 patients with fungal infections. These patients mainly suffered from fever (40.8%), cough (30.3%), and dyspnea (23.7%). The most frequent findings in the laboratory results of patients and increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) (33.1%) and ferritin (18.2%), and lymphopenia (16%) were reported. The most common etiological agents of fungal infections were Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp., and Candida spp. reported in study patients. The mortality rate was 54.6%, and the rate of discharged patients was 45.3%. Remdesivir and voriconazole were the most commonly used antiviral and antifungal agents for the treatment of patients. The global prevalence of COVID-19-related deaths is 6.6%. Our results showed that 54.6% of COVID-19 patients with fungal co-infections died. Thus, this study indicated that fungal co-infection and COVID-19 could increase mortality. Targeted policies should be considered to address this raised risk in the current pandemic. In addition, fungal infections are sometimes diagnosed late in patients with COVID-19, and the severity of the disease worsens, especially in patients with underlying conditions. Therefore, patients with fungal infections should be screened regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 patients with fungal co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parmida Bagheri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Nasiri
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mehdi Goudarzi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Fischer T, El Baz Y, Graf N, Wildermuth S, Leschka S, Kleger GR, Pietsch U, Frischknecht M, Scanferla G, Strahm C, Wälti S, Dietrich TJ, Albrich WC. Clinical and Imaging Features of COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051201. [PMID: 35626356 PMCID: PMC9140144 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 superinfection by Aspergillus (COVID-19-associated aspergillosis, CAPA) is increasingly observed due to increased awareness and use of corticosteroids. The aim of this study is to compare clinical and imaging features between COVID-19 patients with and without associated pulmonary aspergillosis. Material and Methods: In this case–control study, hospitalized patients between March 2020 and March 2021 were evaluated. Two observers independently compared 105 chest CTs of 52 COVID-19 patients without pulmonary aspergillosis to 40 chest CTs of 13 CAPA patients. The following features were evaluated: lung involvement, predominant main pattern (ground glass opacity, crazy paving, consolidation) and additional lung and chest findings. Chronological changes in the abnormal extent upon CT and chronological changes in the main patterns were compared with mixed models. Patient-wise comparisons of additional features and demographic and clinical data were performed using Student’s t-test, Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: Compared to COVID-19 patients without pulmonary aspergillosis, CAPA patients were older (mean age (±SD): 70.3 (±7.8) versus 63.5 (±9.5) years (p = 0.01). The time-dependent evolution rates for consolidation (p = 0.02) and ground glass (p = 0.006) differed. In early COVID-19 disease, consolidation was associated with CAPA, whereas ground glass was less common. Chronological changes in the abnormal extent upon CT did not differ (p = 0.29). Regardless of the time point, bronchial wall thickening was observed more frequently in CAPA patients (p = 0.03). Conclusions: CAPA patients showed a tendency for consolidation in early COVID-19 disease. Bronchial wall thickening and higher patient age were associated with CAPA. The overall lung involvement was similar between both groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Fischer
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (Y.E.B.); (S.W.); (S.L.); (S.W.); (T.J.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-71-494-2185
| | - Yassir El Baz
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (Y.E.B.); (S.W.); (S.L.); (S.W.); (T.J.D.)
| | - Nicole Graf
- Clinical Trials Unit, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Simon Wildermuth
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (Y.E.B.); (S.W.); (S.L.); (S.W.); (T.J.D.)
| | - Sebastian Leschka
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (Y.E.B.); (S.W.); (S.L.); (S.W.); (T.J.D.)
| | - Gian-Reto Kleger
- Division of Intensive Care, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Urs Pietsch
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Manuel Frischknecht
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (M.F.); (G.S.); (C.S.); (W.C.A.)
| | - Giulia Scanferla
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (M.F.); (G.S.); (C.S.); (W.C.A.)
| | - Carol Strahm
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (M.F.); (G.S.); (C.S.); (W.C.A.)
| | - Stephan Wälti
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (Y.E.B.); (S.W.); (S.L.); (S.W.); (T.J.D.)
| | - Tobias Johannes Dietrich
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (Y.E.B.); (S.W.); (S.L.); (S.W.); (T.J.D.)
| | - Werner C. Albrich
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland; (M.F.); (G.S.); (C.S.); (W.C.A.)
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Casalini G, Giacomelli A, Ridolfo A, Gervasoni C, Antinori S. Invasive Fungal Infections Complicating COVID-19: A Narrative Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:921. [PMID: 34829210 PMCID: PMC8620819 DOI: 10.3390/jof7110921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) can complicate the clinical course of COVID-19 and are associated with a significant increase in mortality, especially in critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). This narrative review concerns 4099 cases of IFIs in 58,784 COVID-19 patients involved in 168 studies. COVID-19-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a diagnostic challenge because its non-specific clinical/imaging features and the fact that the proposed clinically diagnostic algorithms do not really apply to COVID-19 patients. Forty-seven observational studies and 41 case reports have described a total of 478 CAPA cases that were mainly diagnosed on the basis of cultured respiratory specimens and/or biomarkers/molecular biology, usually without histopathological confirmation. Candidemia is a widely described secondary infection in critically ill patients undergoing prolonged hospitalisation, and the case reports and observational studies of 401 cases indicate high crude mortality rates of 56.1% and 74.8%, respectively. COVID-19 patients are often characterised by the presence of known risk factors for candidemia such as in-dwelling vascular catheters, mechanical ventilation, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. We also describe 3185 cases of mucormycosis (including 1549 cases of rhino-orbital mucormycosis (48.6%)), for which the main risk factor is a history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (>76%). Its diagnosis involves a histopathological examination of tissue biopsies, and its treatment requires anti-fungal therapy combined with aggressive surgical resection/debridement, but crude mortality rates are again high: 50.8% in case reports and 16% in observational studies. The presence of other secondary IFIs usually diagnosed in severely immunocompromised patients show that SARS-CoV-2 is capable of stunning the host immune system: 20 cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, 5 cases of cryptococcosis, 4 cases of histoplasmosis, 1 case of coccidioides infection, 1 case of pulmonary infection due to Fusarium spp., and 1 case of pulmonary infection due to Scedosporium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Casalini
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (A.G.)
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (C.G.)
| | - Annalisa Ridolfo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (C.G.)
| | - Cristina Gervasoni
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (C.G.)
| | - Spinello Antinori
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (A.G.)
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (C.G.)
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Chumbita M, Puerta-Alcalde P, Garcia-Pouton N, García-Vidal C. COVID-19 and fungal infections: Etiopathogenesis and therapeutic implications. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE QUIMIOTERAPIA : PUBLICACION OFICIAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE QUIMIOTERAPIA 2021; 34 Suppl 1:72-75. [PMID: 34598433 PMCID: PMC8683007 DOI: 10.37201/req/s01.21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infection often complicates patients with severe viral infection, especially those admitted to critical care units. Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection has been no exception and a significant association with Aspergillus spp. has been documented, resulting in high patient mortality. In this summary we describe the clinical presentation, the underlying diseases most commonly linked with this association, radiological manifestations and therapeutic management of CAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Puerta-Alcalde
- Pedro Puerta, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona.
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10
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Azithromycin/dexamethasone/voriconazole. REACTIONS WEEKLY 2021. [PMCID: PMC7997546 DOI: 10.1007/s40278-021-93086-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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