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Otu A, Kosmidis C, Mathioudakis AG, Ibe C, Denning DW. The clinical spectrum of aspergillosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Infection 2023:10.1007/s15010-022-01960-2. [PMID: 36662439 PMCID: PMC9857914 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01960-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. In this review, we present the clinical spectrum and pathogenesis of syndromes caused by Aspergillus in COPD namely invasive aspergillosis (IA), community-acquired Aspergillus pneumonia, chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis and Aspergillus sensitisation. Some of these entities are clearly linked to COPD, while others may coexist, but are less clearly liked directly to COPD. We discuss current uncertainties as these pertain to IA in COPD cohorts and explore areas for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akaninyene Otu
- grid.418161.b0000 0001 0097 2705Department of Microbiology, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3EX UK
| | - Chris Kosmidis
- grid.5379.80000000121662407Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M23 9LT UK
| | - Alexander G. Mathioudakis
- grid.5379.80000000121662407Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK ,grid.498924.a0000 0004 0430 9101North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Chibuike Ibe
- grid.442675.60000 0000 9756 5366Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
| | - David W. Denning
- grid.5379.80000000121662407Manchester Fungal Infection Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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2
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Frequency of Positive Aspergillus Tests in COVID-19 Patients in Comparison to Other Patients with Pulmonary Infections Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:JCM.02278-20. [PMID: 33277340 PMCID: PMC8106735 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02278-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of positive Aspergillus tests in COVID-19 patients and investigate the association between COVID-19 and a positive Aspergillus test result. We compared the proportion of positive Aspergillus tests in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for >24 h with two control groups: patients with community-acquired pneumonia with (i) a PCR-confirmed influenza infection (considered a positive control since the link between influenza and invasive aspergillosis has been established) and (ii) Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia (in whom positive Aspergillus tests are mostly considered to indicate colonization). The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of positive Aspergillus tests in COVID-19 patients and investigate the association between COVID-19 and a positive Aspergillus test result. We compared the proportion of positive Aspergillus tests in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for >24 h with two control groups: patients with community-acquired pneumonia with (i) a PCR-confirmed influenza infection (considered a positive control since the link between influenza and invasive aspergillosis has been established) and (ii) Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia (in whom positive Aspergillus tests are mostly considered as colonization). During the study period, 92 COVID-19 patients (mean [standard deviation] age, 62 [14] years; 76.1% males), 48 influenza patients (55 [14]; 56.2% males), and 65 pneumococcal pneumonia patients (58 [15], 63,1% males) were identified. Any positive Aspergillus test from any respiratory sample was found in 10.9% of the COVID-19 patients, 6.2% of the patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, and 22.9% of those infected with influenza. A positive culture or PCR or galactomannan test on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid only was found in 5.4% of COVID-19 patients, which was lower than in patients with influenza (18.8%) and comparable to that in the pneumococcal pneumonia group (4.6%). Using logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) for a positive Aspergillus test on BAL fluid for COVID-19 patients was 1.2 (0.3 to 5.1; P = 0.8) compared to the pneumococcal pneumonia group, while it was 0.2 (0.1 to 0.8; P = 0.02) compared to the influenza group. This difference remained significant when corrected for age and sex. In conclusion, in COVID-19 patients, the prevalence of a positive Aspergillus test was comparable to that in patients admitted for pneumococcal pneumonia but substantially lower than what we observed in patients with influenza.
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Raats D, Aldhaheri SMS, Marras TK, Mehrabi M, Brode SK. Aspergillus isolation in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: Associated with antimycobacterial treatment initiation but not response. Respir Med 2021; 179:106338. [PMID: 33611086 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is a serious complication of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), and diagnosis remains challenging. The present study examined associations between the respiratory isolation of Aspergillus and the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with NTM-PD. METHODS All patients meeting NTM-PD criteria as defined by the ATS/IDSA statement, with at least one respiratory sample cultured for fungi, were included in this retrospective cohort analysis. Patients with at least one respiratory sample isolating Aspergillus were compared to patients who did not isolate Aspergillus. The primary outcomes were culture conversion and radiologic evolution 12 months after NTM-PD treatment initiation. RESULTS During a 12 year period, 497 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were seen in our tertiary care center, of whom 130 grew Aspergillus. Median follow up after NTM-PD diagnosis was 46 months. Inhaled corticosteroid use, a nodular-bronchiectatic CT pattern and NTM-PD treatment initiation were more frequent in patients who isolated Aspergillus compared to those who did not (p-value respectively 0.01, 0.03 and < 0.001). Rates of culture conversion (63.0% vs. 62.2%, respectively; p-value 1) and radiologic evolution (improvement or stability in 69.7% vs. 77.2%, respectively; p-value 0.25) were not significantly different between treatment groups. Likewise, culture reversion rate and 5-year mortality were not significantly different. Additionally, A. fumigatus and repeated detection of Aspergillus were not associated with treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION There was no association between respiratory isolation of Aspergillus and NTM-PD treatment outcomes in this cohort. However, treatment for NTM-PD was initiated more frequently in patients who isolated Aspergillus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan Raats
- Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; West Park Healthcare Centre, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Sharina M S Aldhaheri
- Tawam Hospital, Pulmonary Department, Internal Medicine, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Theodore K Marras
- Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Mahtab Mehrabi
- Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Sarah K Brode
- Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; West Park Healthcare Centre, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Sharma A, Bisht D, Das S, Rai G, Dutt S, Arora VK. Molecular Detection of Aspergillus in Sputum of Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections. Int J Appl Basic Med Res 2020; 10:86-90. [PMID: 32566523 PMCID: PMC7289198 DOI: 10.4103/ijabmr.ijabmr_364_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Raised incidences of respiratory tract infections due to fungal agents in immunocompetent individuals are a cause of concern due to the unavailability of rapid diagnostic methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sputum and serum samples were collected from patients having lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), serum samples were screened for the presence of anti Aspergillus antibodies and sputum samples were homogenized and processed for identification of Aspergillus by conventional methods and further subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus-specific ITS 4-5 primers. RESULTS PCR identified Aspergillus in 28% sputum samples, which was high as compared to conventional methods. CONCLUSION Simple conventional PCR technique proves to be useful screening in for early identification of Aspergillus colonization in patients with LRTI, which can prevent irreversible damage in their lungs by fungal invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alosha Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dakshina Bisht
- Department of Microbiology, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shukla Das
- Department of Microbiology, UCMS, GTBH, New Delhi, India
| | - Gargi Rai
- Department of Microbiology, UCMS, GTBH, New Delhi, India
| | - Shyama Dutt
- Department of Microbiology, UCMS, GTBH, New Delhi, India
| | - V K Arora
- Department of TB and Chest, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Ramírez P, Garnacho-Montero J. [Invasive aspergillosis in critically ill patients]. Rev Iberoam Micol 2019; 35:210-216. [PMID: 30554674 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Critically ill patients without severe immunosuppression make up a population in which invasive aspergillosis (IA) has been identified as an emergent pathology. Chronic treatment with corticosteroids, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and liver cirrhosis are repeatedly identified risk factors. However, due to the non-specificity of the symptoms and signs in the critical patient, and the relative low diagnostic capacity of the complementary tests, the diagnosis of the IA is a challenge for the specialist in critical care medicine. The application of diagnostic algorithms adapted to critical patients, in whom activation will depend on the isolation of Aspergillus in a respiratory specimen, is the most efficient diagnostic methodology in this population. Among the diagnostic approaches, the determination of galactomannan in bronchoalveolar fluid is the most useful diagnostic test. Once the suspicion is established, treatment should be started as soon as possible. Voriconazole, amphotericin B, and isavuconazole are the most effective treatments. Although voriconazole and amphotericin B are the drugs with the most scientific evidence, they are related with adverse effects and pharmacokinetic difficulties. Therefore, isavuconazole, which has shown high efficacy and safety in other populations, is a potential alternative of great interest for critically ill patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ramírez
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
| | - José Garnacho-Montero
- Unidad Clínica de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Macarena, Sevilla, España
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Abstract
Fungi of the genus Aspergillus are ubiquitously present. Even though humans inhale Aspergillus spores daily under natural conditions, Aspergillus-associated pulmonary diseases only occur under special circumstances. Whether an Aspergillus-associated disease develops and which type of Aspergillus-associated disease develops depends on the constitution of the host. The spectrum of Aspergillus-associated pulmonary diseases ranges from allergic diseases, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis to allergic infectious diseases, such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and bronchocentric granulomatosis (BG) to infectious diseases, such as invasive (IA) or semi-invasive aspergillosis (SIA) and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Identification of Aspergillus spp. from sputum or bronchopulmonary secretions is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis of Aspergillus-associated infections. The gold standard is the identification of Aspergillus spp. from lung tissue by culture or by histopathological methods; however, in clinical practice the decision to initiate antifungal therapy is more often based on immunological methods, such as the detection of Aspergillus-specific IgG antibodies from peripheral blood or galactomannan antigens from bronchoalveolar lavages. Acute IA or SIA infections have a high mortality and require immediate antifungal therapy. With rare exceptions CPA cannot be cured by medicinal therapy alone; however, active CPA can be brought into remission with antifungal therapy. Eradication of Aspergillus in CPA can as a rule only be successful using a combined antimycotic and surgical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J F Salzer
- Klinische Infektiologie, Medizinische Klinik, Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz-Zentrum für Medizin und Biowissenschaften, Parkallee 35, 23845, Borstel, Deutschland.
- Hamburg - Borstel - Lübeck - Riems DZIF-Standort, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Borstel, Deutschland.
| | - C Lange
- Klinische Infektiologie, Medizinische Klinik, Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz-Zentrum für Medizin und Biowissenschaften, Parkallee 35, 23845, Borstel, Deutschland
- Hamburg - Borstel - Lübeck - Riems DZIF-Standort, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Borstel, Deutschland
- International Health and Infectious Diseases, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Schweden
| | - M Hönigl
- Klinische Abteilung für Pulmonologie, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich
- Sektion für Infektionserkrankungen und Tropenmedizin, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California - San Diego, San Diego, USA
- CBmed - Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine, Graz, Österreich
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Barberán J, García-Pérez FJ, Villena V, Fernández-Villar A, Malmierca E, Salas C, Giménez MJ, Granizo JJ, Aguilar L. Development of Aspergillosis in a cohort of non-neutropenic, non-transplant patients colonised by Aspergillus spp. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:34. [PMID: 28056830 PMCID: PMC5217298 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-2143-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A previous study explored factors discriminating colonization and true infection among non-transplant, non-neutropenic patients with repeated Aspergillus spp. isolation from lower respiratory samples. The present study explored the evolution of patients with Aspergillus colonization in that study to determine the percentage of cases progressing to aspergillosis and time to development. METHODS Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed (for each patient from his end date in the past study) and data from all respiratory processes suffered by patients up to April 2015 were recorded. Comparisons of variables were performed between colonized patients that developed aspergillosis and those that did not. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to describe time to development of aspergillosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients for II-IV stages of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification. RESULTS Sixty seven colonized patients were followed, 12 of them (17.9%) developed aspergillosis. Diagnoses included six tracheobronchitis (4 invasive, 2 simple tracheobronchitis), four pulmonary disease (2 invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, 2 chronic pulmonary aspergillosis), one allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and one pulmonary aspergilloma. Up to 47 (70.4%) of the study patients presented COPD. Among patients developing aspergillosis COPD was more frequent (100%) than among those that did not develop aspergillosis (35 out of 55; 63.6%) (p = 0.012), as well as GOLD IV patients were more frequent among COPD patients developing aspergillosis than among COPD patients that did not (50.0 vs. 26.1%, p = 0.046). Mean time to development of aspergillosis was 18.4 months (median: 8.5) with a wide range (1-58). Overtime, the percentage of patients developing aspergillosis was significantly higher among GOLD IV patients than among GOLD II-III patients (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS The high percentage of cases progressing to aspergillosis among colonized patients, especially among those with COPD (25.5%), stresses the importance of colonization as risk factor, and creates awareness of the possible change from colonization to invasive disease in GOLD IV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Barberán
- Internal Medicine Dpt., Hospital Universitario Monteprincipe, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Avda. Monteprincipe 25, 28660, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Victoria Villena
- Pneumology Dpt., Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Fernández-Villar
- Pneumology Dpt., Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Clara Campoamor 341, 36204, Vigo, Spain
| | - Eduardo Malmierca
- Internal Medicine Dpt., Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofia, Paseo de Europa 34, 28703, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Salas
- Internal Medicine Dpt., Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, 39008, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Juan-José Granizo
- Preventive Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Avda. 9 de Junio 2, 28981, Parla, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Aguilar
- PRISM-AG, calle Don Ramon de la Cruz 72, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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Alsalman J, Zaid T, Makhlooq M, Madan M, Mohamed Z, Alarayedh A, Ghareeb A, Kamal N. A retrospective study of the epidemiology and clinical manifestation of invasive aspergillosis in a major tertiary care hospital in Bahrain. J Infect Public Health 2017; 10:49-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2016.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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Shahi M, Ayatollahi Mousavi SA, Nabili M, Aliyali M, Khodavaisy S, Badali H. Aspergillus colonization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Curr Med Mycol 2015; 1:45-51. [PMID: 28680996 PMCID: PMC5490329 DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.cmm.1.3.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been recognized as a risk factor for invasive aspergillosis. Airway colonization by Aspergillus species is a common feature of chronic pulmonary diseases. Nowadays, the incidence of COPD has increased in critically ill patients. The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Aspergillus colonies in the respiratory tract of COPD patients. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 50 COPD patients, who were aged above 18 years, and were in intensive care units of three hospitals in Sari, Iran, for at least six days. All the samples obtained from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and tracheal aspirates were cultured for fungi each week. According to the conventional techniques, Aspergillus isolates were initially based on growth and standard morphological characteristics. To confirm the identification of grown Aspergillus, the partial beta-tubulin gene was sequenced using specific primers. Results: A total of 50 patients, who met our inclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study during 2012-14. The results showed that 27 (54%) and 23 (46%) of the participants were male and female, respectively. The majority of the patients developed dyspnea followed by hemoptysis, chest pain, and high fever. Corticosteroids and broad-spectrum antibacterial agents were administered to 75% and 80% of the patients, respectively. Based on the conventional and molecular approaches, A. fumigatus (seven cases; 43.7%), A. flavus (five cases; 31.2%), A. niger (one case; 6.2%), A. terreus (one case; 6.2%), A. orezea (one case; 6.2%), and A. tubingensis (one case; 6.2%) were recovered. Conclusion: Recovery of Aspergillus species from the respiratory tract of COPD patients with pneumonia indicates two possibilities: either colonization or invasive aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Shahi
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tropical and Infectious Diseases Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - S A Ayatollahi Mousavi
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tropical and Infectious Diseases Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - M Nabili
- Students Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M Aliyali
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - S Khodavaisy
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.,Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - H Badali
- Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Taccone FS, Van den Abeele AM, Bulpa P, Misset B, Meersseman W, Cardoso T, Paiva JA, Blasco-Navalpotro M, De Laere E, Dimopoulos G, Rello J, Vogelaers D, Blot SI. Epidemiology of invasive aspergillosis in critically ill patients: clinical presentation, underlying conditions, and outcomes. CRITICAL CARE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CRITICAL CARE FORUM 2015; 19:7. [PMID: 25928694 PMCID: PMC4344741 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-014-0722-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a fungal infection that particularly affects immunocompromised hosts. Recently, several studies have indicated a high incidence of IA in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, few data are available on the epidemiology and outcome of patients with IA in this setting. Methods An observational study including all patients with a positive Aspergillus culture during ICU stay was performed in 30 ICUs in 8 countries. Cases were classified as proven IA, putative IA or Aspergillus colonization according to recently validated criteria. Demographic, microbiologic and diagnostic data were collected. Outcome was recorded 12 weeks after Aspergillus isolation. Results A total of 563 patients were included, of whom 266 were colonized (47%), 203 had putative IA (36%) and 94 had proven IA (17%). The lung was the most frequent site of infection (94%), and Aspergillus fumigatus the most commonly isolated species (92%). Patients with IA had higher incidences of cancer and organ transplantation than those with colonization. Compared with other patients, they were more frequently diagnosed with sepsis on ICU admission and more frequently received vasopressors and renal replacement therapy (RRT) during the ICU stay. Mortality was 38% among colonized patients, 67% in those with putative IA and 79% in those with proven IA (P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for death among patients with IA included older age, history of bone marrow transplantation, and mechanical ventilation, RRT and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at diagnosis. Conclusions IA among critically ill patients is associated with high mortality. Patients diagnosed with proven or putative IA had greater severity of illness and more frequently needed organ support than those with Aspergillus spp colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Silvio Taccone
- Department of Intensive Care Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Route de Lennik 808, 1070, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | - Pierre Bulpa
- Department of Intensive Care Mont-Godinne University Hospital, Catholic University of Louvain, Avenue G.Thérasse 1, 5530, Yvoir, Belgium.
| | - Benoit Misset
- Department of Intensive Care Foundation Hospital Saint-Joseph, Paris-Descartes University, 185 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014, Paris, France.
| | - Wouter Meersseman
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Teresa Cardoso
- Department of Intensive Care, Santo Antonio Hospital, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001, Porto, Portugal.
| | - José-Artur Paiva
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, Hospital Centre S. Joao and University of Porto Medical School Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Miguel Blasco-Navalpotro
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital Severo Ochoa, Avenida de Orellana, s/n 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Emmanuel De Laere
- Department of Microbiology, General Hospital Delta, Brugsesteenweg 90, 8800, Roeselare, Belgium.
| | - George Dimopoulos
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 1 Rimini Street, Haidari, 124 62, Athens, Greece.
| | - Jordi Rello
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall D'Hebron, Institute of Research, CIBERES, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Dirk Vogelaers
- Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stijn I Blot
- Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. .,Burns, Trauma, and Critical Care Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Butterfield Street, Herston (Brisbane), 4006, Queensland, Australia.
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Evaluation of the Aspergillus Western blot IgG kit for diagnosis of chronic aspergillosis. J Clin Microbiol 2014; 53:248-54. [PMID: 25392351 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02690-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoprecipitin detection (IPD) is the current reference confirmatory technique for anti-Aspergillus antibody detection; however, the lack of standardization is a critical drawback of this assay. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Aspergillus Western blot (Asp-WB) IgG kit (LDBio Diagnostics, Lyon, France), a recently commercialized immunoblot assay for the diagnosis of various clinical presentations of chronic aspergillosis. Three hundred eight serum samples from 158 patients with aspergillosis sensu lato (s.l.) were analyzed. More specifically, 267 serum samples were derived from patients with Aspergillus disease, including 89 cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, 10 of aspergilloma, and 32 of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, while 41 samples were from patients with Aspergillus colonization, including 15 cystic fibrosis (CF) and 12 non-CF patients. For blood donor controls, the Asp-WB specificity was 94%, while the kit displayed a sensitivity for the aspergillosis s.l. diagnosis of 88.6%, with a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 119 (95% confidence interval [CI], 57 to 251). The DOR values were 185.22 (95% CI,78.79 to 435.45) and 43.74 (95% CI, 15.65 to 122.20) for the diagnosis of Aspergillus disease and Aspergillus colonization, respectively. Among the patients, the sensitivities of the Asp-WB in the diagnosis of Aspergillus colonization were 100% and 41.7% in CF and non-CF patients, respectively. The Asp-WB yielded fewer false-negative results than did IPD. In conclusion, the Asp-WB kit performed well for the diagnosis of various clinical presentations of aspergillosis in nonimmunocompromised patients, with an enhanced standardization and a higher sensitivity than with IPD, which is the current reference method.
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12
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Kolwijck E, van de Veerdonk FL. The potential impact of the pulmonary microbiome on immunopathogenesis of Aspergillus-related lung disease. Eur J Immunol 2014; 44:3156-65. [PMID: 25256637 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201344404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillosis is an infection or allergic response caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. The most common forms of aspergillosis are allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Aspergillus also plays an important role in fungal sensitized asthma. Humans inhale Aspergillus spores every day and when the host is immunocompromised, Aspergillus spp. may cause severe pulmonary disease. There is increasing evidence that the microbiome plays a significant role in immune regulation, chronic inflammatory diseases, metabolism, and other physiological processes, including recovery from the effects of antibiotic treatment. Bacterial microbiome mediated resistance mechanisms probably play a major role in limiting fungal colonization of the lungs, and may therefore prevent humans from contracting Aspergillus-related diseases. In this perspective, we review this emerging area of research and discuss the role of the microbiome in aspergillosis, role of Aspergillus in the microbiome, and the influence of the microbiome on anti-Aspergillus host defense and its role in preventing aspergillosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kolwijck
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Nissen JC, Hummel M, Brade J, Kruth J, Hofmann WK, Buchheidt D, Reinwald M. The risk of infections in hematologic patients treated with rituximab is not influenced by cumulative rituximab dosage - a single center experience. BMC Infect Dis 2014; 14:364. [PMID: 24992940 PMCID: PMC4227097 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, is approved for the treatment of CD20-positive B-cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and rheumatologic disorders. Due to its potent activity in depleting CD20-positive lymphocytes, the influence on opportunistic infections is still under discussion. Thus, we analyzed the impact of rituximab either as monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapeutic regimens to elucidate its role in contributing to infectious complications. METHODS The records of consecutive patients (n = 125, 141 treatment episodes) treated with rituximab alone or in combination with chemotherapy and corticosteroids were analyzed retrospectively for the incidence, spectrum and outcome of infections during treatment and 6 months after the last course of rituximab. Univariate analysis of cofactors such as steroid medication, antiinfective prophylaxis, underlying disease and remission status were performed. RESULTS Altogether 80 therapy episodes were associated with infections, the median number of infections per patient being 1 (range 1-7). The number of infectious complications was significantly higher in patients receiving a combination of rituximab and chemotherapy compared to rituximab monotherapy (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference regarding number of rituximab courses or cumulative rituximab dosage between episodes with and without infections, respectively.Mean cumulative prednisone dosage between the cohort with infections and the one without infections showed a trend towards higher dosage of prednisone in the patients with infections (mean difference 441 mg, p > 0.14). CONCLUSIONS Rituximab in induction treatment, either as monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy by itself does not increase the incidence or change the spectrum of infections in hematologic patients. However the possible influence of higher dosages of concomitant steroid medication on frequency of infections suggests that a heightened awareness of the potential for infectious complications should be applied to patients receiving higher doses of glucocorticoids in combination with other therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dieter Buchheidt
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, Mannheim, Germany.
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Huerta A, Soler N, Esperatti M, Guerrero M, Menendez R, Gimeno A, Zalacaín R, Mir N, Aguado JM, Torres A. Importance of Aspergillus spp. isolation in Acute exacerbations of severe COPD: prevalence, factors and follow-up: the FUNGI-COPD study. Respir Res 2014; 15:17. [PMID: 24517318 PMCID: PMC3996133 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-15-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are often associated with infectious agents, some of which may be non-usual, including Aspergillus spp. However, the importance of Aspergillus spp. in the clinical management of AECOPD still remains unclear. Objectives The aims of the study were to analyze the prevalence and risk factors associated with Aspergillus spp. isolation in AECOPD, and to investigate the associated clinical outcomes during a 1-year follow-up period. Methods Patients presenting with an AECOPD requiring hospitalization were prospectively included from four hospitals across Spain. Clinical, radiological and microbiological data were collected at admission and during the follow-up period (1, 6 and 12 months after discharge), and re-admissions and mortality data collected during the follow-up. Results A total of 240 patients with severe AECOPD were included. Valid sputum samples were obtained in 144 (58%) patients, and in this group, the prevalence of Aspergillus spp. isolation was 16.6% on admission and 14.1% at one-year follow-up. Multivariate logistic-regression showed that AECOPD in the previous year (OR 12.35; 95% CI, 1.9-29.1; p < 0.001), concurrent isolation of pathogenic bacteria (OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.65-9.45, p = 0.001) and concomitant isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR 2.80; 95% IC, 1.81-11.42; p = 0.001) were the main risk factors for Aspergillus spp. isolation. Conclusions The main risk factors for Aspergillus spp. isolation were AECOPD in the previous year and concomitant isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, although Aspergillus spp. is often isolated in sputum samples from patients with AECOPD, the pathogenic and clinical significance remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Antoni Torres
- Department of Pneumology, Institute of Thorax (ICT), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona (UB), CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES 06/06/0028), Villarroel 170, 08037 Barcelona, Spain.
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