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Cocio TA, Siqueira LPM, Riciluca KCT, Gimenes VMF, de Andrade TS, Benard G, Martínez R, Bollela VR. Significance of Aspergillus spp. isolation in defining cases of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis - CAPA. Braz J Infect Dis 2023; 27:102793. [PMID: 37507102 PMCID: PMC10407263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2023.102793] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) is a relatively common complication in patients with severe forms of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Diagnosing and confirming CAPA is challenging. In this study, Aspergillus spp. isolation in respiratory specimens from patients with COVID-19 was evaluated for identifying cases of CAPA. In 2020‒2021, 17 Aspergillus spp. were isolated from 15 COVID-19 patients admitted to a university hospital in Brazil. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to obtain clinical-epidemiological data and other markers of Aspergillus spp. infection and then compared with the ECMM/ISHAM criteria for defining CAPA. Probable CAPA was defined in 5/10 patients, who had Aspergillus spp. isolated from Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) or a positive galactomannan blood test. Additionally, anti-Aspergillus antibodies were detected in two of these patients, during active or follow-up phases of CAPA. In another seven patients with Aspergillus spp. isolated from tracheobronchial aspirate or sputum, CAPA was presumed, mainly due to deterioration of clinical conditions and new lung imaging suggestive of fungal infection. Antifungal agents to control CAPA, particularly voriconazole, were used in 9/15 cases. In cases of probable CAPA and remaining patients, clinical conditions and comorbidities were similar, with lethality being high, at 60% and 71%, respectively. The number of CAPA cases defined by scientific criteria was lower than that assumed in the clinical context. This was largely due to the lack of BAL collection for fungal culture and the non-intensive use of other markers of invasive aspergillosis. The isolation of Aspergillus spp. in different respiratory specimens should alert clinicians to the diagnosis of CAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Alexandre Cocio
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM53), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Lumena Pereira Machado Siqueira
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM53), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Viviane Mazo Favero Gimenes
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM53), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Odontologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Diagnostico Bucal, Radiologia Odontológica e Imagiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Gil Benard
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM53), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberto Martínez
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Valdes Roberto Bollela
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Hawes AM, Permpalung N. Diagnosis and Antifungal Prophylaxis for COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121704. [PMID: 36551361 PMCID: PMC9774425 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121704] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has redemonstrated the importance of the fungal-after-viral phenomenon, and the question of whether prophylaxis should be used to prevent COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). A distinct pathophysiology from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), CAPA has an incidence that ranges from 5% to 30%, with significant mortality. The aim of this work was to describe the current diagnostic landscape of CAPA and review the existing literature on antifungal prophylaxis. A variety of definitions for CAPA have been described in the literature and the performance of the diagnostic tests for CAPA is limited, making diagnosis a challenge. There are only six studies that have investigated antifungal prophylaxis for CAPA. The two studied drugs have been posaconazole, either a liquid formulation via an oral gastric tube or an intravenous formulation, and inhaled amphotericin. While some studies have revealed promising results, they are limited by small sample sizes and bias inherent to retrospective studies. Additionally, as the COVID-19 pandemic changes and we see fewer intubated and critically ill patients, it will be more important to recognize these fungal-after-viral complications among non-critically ill, immunocompromised patients. Randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand the role of antifungal prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armani M. Hawes
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-955-5000; Fax: +1-210-892-3847
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Shishido AA, Mathew M, Baddley JW. Overview of COVID-19-Associated Invasive Fungal Infection. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2022; 16:87-97. [PMID: 35846240 PMCID: PMC9274633 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-022-00434-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Invasive fungal infections are a complication of COVID-19 disease. This article reviews literature characterizing invasive fungal infections associated with COVID-19. Recent Findings Multiple invasive fungal infections including aspergillosis, candidiasis, pneumocystosis, other non-Aspergillus molds, and endemic fungi have been reported in patients with COVID-19. Risk factors for COVID-19-associated fungal disease include underlying lung disease, diabetes, steroid or immunomodulator use, leukopenia, and malignancy. COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) are the most common fungal infections described. However, there is variability in the reported incidences related to use of differing diagnostic algorithms. Summary Fungal pathogens are important cause of infection in patients with COVID-19, and the diagnostic strategies continue to evolve. Mortality in these patients is increased, and providers should operate with a high index of suspicion. Further studies will be required to elucidate the associations and pathogenesis of these diseases and best management and prevention strategies.
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