The Extent of Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients With Severe Influenza Pneumonia: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Invasive fungal infections in patients with liver disease: immunological and clinical considerations for the intensive care unit

Patients with liver disease in the intensive care unit (ICU) face a unique susceptibility to infection due to the complex immune dysfunction resulting from hepatic failure. Bacterial infections are commonly present in these patients upon arrival to the hospital, often being the primary reason for ICU admission. In contrast, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) afflict a smaller percentage of patients and are usually discovered in the course of the ICU stay. IFI diagnosis in the ICU, particularly in patients with liver disease, is often delayed or overlooked, contributing to the extremely high ICU mortality associated with IFI in these patients despite the availability of effective (and largely safe) antifungal therapy. Thus, to improve outcomes, it is crucial for intensive care clinicians to be vigilant for IFIs in patients with liver disease. This review aims to contribute to the intensive care literature in this regard. We begin with an overview of normal antifungal immunity followed by a summary of how it may become compromised in the setting of hepatic dysfunction. Next, a general discussion of IFIs in liver disease is presented and then the three most relevant fungal pathogens, namely Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus, are individually examined. This review concludes by highlighting key knowledge and practice gaps that require attention by the scientific and clinical communities in the coming years.

Invasive aspergillosis in critically ill patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In the intensive care unit (ICU), invasive aspergillosis (IA) has a poor prognosis. Some studies report a positive association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and IA in critically ill patients, but the relationship between DM and IA in the ICU remains controversial. We aimed to clarify the relationship between DM and IA among patients in the ICU in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We retrieved all reports published in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases before July 12, 2023. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the relationship between DM and IA. Subgroup analyses were conducted to further analyze sources of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic. Additionally, we evaluated publication bias using funnel plots, Egger's test, and Begg's test. Finally, sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

Twenty studies with 6155 participants were included in this meta-analysis. We found a positive association between DM and IA among patients in the ICU (OR = 1.18, 95% CI:1.01 to 1.39; p = 0.04). The heterogeneity was not significant (I² = 5%; p = 0.39) and publication bias was not significant (Egger's test: p = 0.654; Begg's test: p = 0.417). The results of sensitivity analysis supported a stable association between DM and IA. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients' comorbidities might be a potential source of heterogeneity. Additionally, patients with DM had a significantly higher risk of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) than those without DM (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.70; p < 0.001). The heterogeneity was not significant (I² = 0%; p = 0.91). In the subgroup with influenza, the OR of the relationship between DM and IA was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.23; p = 0.32; heterogeneity: p = 0.36; I² = 8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with DM in the ICU showed a higher risk of developing IA than patients in the ICU without DM. DM was a significant risk factor for IA, with the highest risk observed in critically ill patients diagnosed with CAPA.

Epidemiology, clinical and biological characteristics, and prognosis of critically ill COVID 19 patients: a single-center experience through 4 successive waves

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2, comparing them according to successive waves, and to identify prognostic factors for morbidity and mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center retrospective observational descriptive study was conducted from March 10, 2020, to October 17, 2021. All adult patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia presenting acute respiratory failure were included. COVID 19 diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR testing of respiratory specimens. The primary endpoint was ICU mortality. Secondary endpoints were the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

RESULTS

Over the study period, 437 patients were included of whom 282 (65%) patients were ventilated for 9 [5;20] days. Among the studied population, 38% were treated for one or more episodes of VAP, and 22 (5%) for bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. ICU mortality was 26% in the first wave, then fell and stabilized at around 10% in subsequent waves (p = 0.02). Increased age, Charlson index, SOFA score and lactatemia on admission were predictive of mortality. Survival at 90 days was 85% (95% CI 82-88) and was unaffected by the presence of VAP. However, the occurrence of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis increased mortality to 36%.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we observed mortality in the lower range of those previously reported. Risk factors for mortality mainly included age and previous comorbidities. The prognosis of these critically ill Covid 19 patients improved over the four waves, underlining the likely beneficial effect of vaccination and dexamethasone.

[Medical clinical diagnostics for indoor mould exposure - Update 2023 (AWMF Register No. 161/001)]

This article is an abridged version of the updated AWMF mould guideline "Medical clinical diagnostics in case of indoor mould exposure - Update 2023", presented in July 2023 by the German Society of Hygiene, Environmental Medicine and Preventive Medicine (Gesellschaft für Hygiene, Umweltmedizin und Präventivmedizin, GHUP), in collaboration with German and Austrian scientific medical societies, and experts. Indoor mould growth is a potential health risk, even if a quantitative and/or causal relationship between the occurrence of individual mould species and health problems has yet to be established. There is no evidence for a causal relationship between moisture/mould damage and human diseases, mainly because of the ubiquitous presence of fungi and hitherto inadequate diagnostic methods. Sufficient evidence for an association between moisture/mould damage and the following health effects has been established for: allergic respiratory diseases, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), other allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM), aspergilloma, Aspergillus bronchitis, asthma (manifestation, progression, exacerbation), bronchitis (acute, chronic), community-acquired Aspergillus pneumonia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP; extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EEA)), invasive Aspergillosis, mycoses, organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) [workplace exposure], promotion of respiratory infections, pulmonary aspergillosis (subacute, chronic), and rhinosinusitis (acute, chronically invasive, or granulomatous, allergic). In this context the sensitizing potential of moulds is obviously low compared to other environmental allergens. Recent studies show a comparatively low sensitization prevalence of 3-22,5 % in the general population across Europe. Limited or suspected evidence for an association exist with respect to atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis; manifestation), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mood disorders, mucous membrane irritation (MMI), odor effects, and sarcoidosis. (iv) Inadequate or insufficient evidence for an association exist for acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants, airborne transmitted mycotoxicosis, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), endocrinopathies, gastrointestinal effects, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), multiple sclerosis, neuropsychological effects, neurotoxic effects, renal effects, reproductive disorders, rheumatism, sick building syndrome (SBS), sudden infant death syndrome, teratogenicity, thyroid diseases, and urticaria.The risk of infection posed by moulds regularly occurring indoors is low for healthy persons; most species are in risk group 1 and a few in risk group 2 (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus) of the German Biological Agents Act (Biostoffverordnung). Only moulds that are potentially able to form toxins can be triggers of toxic reactions. Whether or not toxin formation occurs in individual cases is determined by environmental and growth conditions, water activity, temperature and above all the growth substrates.In case of indoor moisture/mould damage, everyone can be affected by odor effects and/or mood disorders.However, this is not an acute health hazard. Predisposing factors for odor effects can include genetic and hormonal influences, imprinting, context and adaptation effects. Predisposing factors for mood disorders may include environmental concerns, anxiety, condition, and attribution, as well as various diseases. Risk groups to be protected particularly regarding infection risk are immunocompromised persons according to the classification of the German Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention, KRINKO) at the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI), persons suffering from severe influenza, persons suffering from severe COVID-19, and persons with cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis); with regard to allergic risk, persons with cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis) and patients with bronchial asthma must be protected. The rational diagnostics include the medical history, physical examination, and conventional allergy diagnostics including provocation tests if necessary; sometimes cellular test systems are indicated. In the case of mould infections, the reader is referred to the specific guidelines. Regarding mycotoxins, there are currently no useful and validated test procedures for clinical diagnostics. From a preventive medical point of view, it is important that indoor mould infestation in relevant magnitudes cannot be tolerated for precautionary reasons.For evaluation of mould damage in the indoor environment and appropriate remedial procedures, the reader is referred to the mould guideline issued by the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA).

Metagenomic next generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids for the identification of pathogens in patients with pulmonary infection: A retrospective study

Due to the limitations of traditional laboratory methods (TMs), identification of causative pathogens of numerous pulmonary infections (PIs) remains difficult. This study evaluated the value of metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) in the identification of various respiratory pathogens. A total of 207 patients with TMs and mNGS data were collected for this retrospective study. TMs included sputum culture, blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis, or polymerase chain reaction analysis of throat swabs. Otherwise, BALF was collected and analyzed using mNGS. For bacterial pathogens, sensitivities of mNGS as compared to TMs were 76.74 % and 58.14 % (P=0.012). For fungal pathogens, the detection rate of mNGS sensitivity was higher as compared to that of TMs (93.68 % vs 22.11 %; P<0.001). The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were also greater for mNGS. Use of mNGS for BALF analysis offers good specificity and thus facilitates to the clinical diagnosis of PIs.

Influenza-associated and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients

Influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) are increasingly recognised as important complications in patients requiring intensive care for severe viral pneumonia. The diagnosis can typically be made in 10-20% of patients with severe influenza or COVID-19, but only when appropriate diagnostic tools are used. Bronchoalveolar lavage sampling for culture, galactomannan testing, and PCR forms the cornerstone of diagnosis, whereas visual examination of the tracheobronchial tract during bronchoscopy is required to detect invasive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis. Azoles are the first-choice antifungal drugs, with liposomal amphotericin B as an alternative in settings where azole resistance is prevalent. Despite antifungal therapy, IAPA and CAPA are associated with poor outcomes, with fatality rates often exceeding 50%. In this Review, we discuss the mechanistic and clinical aspects of IAPA and CAPA. Moreover, we identify crucial knowledge gaps and formulate directions for future research.

Influenza-associated invasive aspergillosis in patients admitted to the intensive care unit in Sweden: a prospective multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the incidence of influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) in influenza patients admitted to intensive care units in Sweden.

METHODS

The study included consecutive adult patients with PCR-verified influenza A or B in 12 Swedish intensive care units (ICUs) over four influenza seasons (2019-2023). Patients were screened using serum galactomannan and β-d-glucan tests and fungal culture of a respiratory sample at inclusion and weekly during the ICU stay. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed if clinically feasible. IAPA was classified according to recently proposed case definitions.

RESULTS

The cohort included 55 patients; 42% were female, and the median age was 59 (IQR 48-71) years. All patients had at least one galactomannan test, β-d-glucan test and respiratory culture performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 24 (44%) of the patients. Five (9%, 95% CI 3.8% - 20.4%) patients were classified as probable IAPA, of which four lacked classical risk factors. The overall ICU mortality was significantly higher among IAPA patients than non-IAPA patients (60% vs 8%, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The study represents the first prospective investigation of IAPA incidence. The 9% incidence of IAPA confirms the increased risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among influenza patients admitted to the ICU. Therefore, it appears reasonable to implement a screening protocol for the early diagnosis and treatment of IAPA in influenza patients receiving intensive care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04172610, registered November 21, 2019.

Acute Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Clinical Presentation and Treatment

Among all clinical manifestations of pulmonary aspergillosis, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is the most acute presentation. IPA is caused by Aspergillus hyphae invading the pulmonary tissue, causing either tracheobronchitis and/or bronchopneumonia. The degree of fungal invasion into the respiratory tissue can be seen as a spectrum, going from colonization to deep tissue penetration with angio-invasion, and largely depends on the host's immune status. Patients with prolonged, severe neutropenia and patients with graft-versus-host disease are at particularly high risk. However, IPA also occurs in other groups of immunocompromised and nonimmunocompromised patients, like solid organ transplant recipients or critically ill patients with severe viral disease. While a diagnosis of proven IPA is challenging and often warranted by safety and feasibility, physicians must rely on a combination of clinical, radiological, and mycological features to assess the likelihood for the presence of IPA. Triazoles are the first-choice regimen, and the choice of the drug should be made on an individual basis. Adjunctive therapy such as immunomodulatory treatment should also be taken into account. Despite an improving and evolving diagnostic and therapeutic armamentarium, the burden and mortality of IPA still remains high. This review aims to give a comprehensive and didactic overview of the current knowledge and best practices regarding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute IPA.

Isolation of Epstein-Barr virus-deoxyribonucleic acid in the lower respiratory tract for distinguishing critically ill patients from those with influenza-associated pneumonia: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

When influenza A-related pneumonia is complicated by bacteria, aspergillus, and other infections, the disease is aggravated, while there is no research on the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) on patients with influenza A-related pneumonia. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the isolation of EBV and influenza A-related pneumonia.

METHODS

This is a clinical study based on the baseline data of a retrospective cohort. A total of 113 cases of influenza A-related pneumonia who underwent polymerase chain reaction test for isolation of EBV-DNA in lower respiratory tract specimens during six influenza seasons from 2013-2014 to 2018-2019 were enrolled. According to the results of EBV-DNA, patients were divided into EBV-positive group and EBV-negative group, and the role of EBV-DNA on patients with influenza A-related pneumonia was analyzed. Regression analysis was used to explore the potential risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with influenza A-related pneumonia during hospitalization.

RESULTS

Among 113 patients with influenza A-related pneumonia, there were 53 patients with EBV-positive and 60 patients with EBV-negative. The EBV-positive group had higher intensive care unit admission rate, hospital stay, invasive mechanical ventilation rate, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rate, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and moderate-to-severe ARDS rate. Patients were divided into severe group and mild group. Patients in severe group had lower lymphocyte count, platelet count, and albumin level, while the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, creatine kinase, lactic dehydrogenase, and total bilirubin were higher in severe group. The levels of D-dimer, serum ferritin, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were higher in severe group than those in the mild group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the isolation of EBV (odds ratio = 2.713, 95% confidence interval: 1.094-6.729, P = 0.031) and lymphocyte count (odds ratio = 3.585, 95% confidence interval: 1.157-11.101, P = 0.027) were independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe ARDS in patients with influenza A-related pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

The isolation rate of EBV in the lower respiratory tract was 46.9%. The length of hospital stays, intensive care unit admission rate, invasive mechanical ventilation rate, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rate, SOFA score, and the proportion of moderate-to-severe ARDS in the EBV-positive group were higher than those in the EBV-negative group, while there was no effect on the death during hospitalization. The isolation of EBV in the lower respiratory tract and low lymphocyte count are independent risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe ARDS in patients with influenza A-related pneumonia.

Risk factors and the value of microbiological examinations of COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients in intensive care unit: the appropriate microbiological examinations are crucial for the timely diagnosis of CAPA

Introduction

During the Omicron pandemic in China, a significant proportion of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) necessitated admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and experienced a high mortality. To explore the clinical risk factors and the application/indication of microbiological examinations of CAPA in ICU for timely diagnosis are very important.

Methods

This prospective study included patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICU between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. The clinical data of influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) patients from the past five consecutive influenza seasons (November 1, 2017, to March 31, 2022) were collected for comparison. The types of specimens and methods used for microbiological examinations were also recorded to explore the efficacy in early diagnosis.

Results

Among 123 COVID-19 patients, 36 (29.3%) were diagnosed with probable CAPA. CAPA patients were more immunosuppressed, in more serious condition, required more advanced respiratory support and had more other organ comorbidities. Solid organ transplantation, APACHEII score ≥20 points, 5 points ≤SOFA score <10 points were independent risk factors for CAPA. Qualified lower respiratory tract specimens were obtained from all patients, and 84/123 (68.3%) patients underwent bronchoscopy to obtain bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens. All patients' lower respiratory tract specimens underwent fungal smear and culture; 79/123 (64.2%) and 69/123 (56.1%) patients underwent BALF galactomannan (GM) and serum GM detection, respectively; metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of the BALF was performed in 62/123 (50.4%) patients. BALF GM had the highest diagnostic sensitivity (84.9%), the area under the curve of the mNGS were the highest (0.812).

Conclusion

The incidence of CAPA was extremely high in patients admitted to the ICU. CAPA diagnosis mainly depends on microbiological evidence owing to non-specific clinical manifestations, routine laboratory examinations, and CT findings. The bronchoscopy should be performed and the BALF should be obtained as soon as possible. BALF GM are the most suitable microbiological examinations for the diagnosis of CAPA. Due to the timely and accuracy result of mNGS, it could assist in early diagnosis and might be an option in critically ill CAPA patients.

An update on current and novel molecular diagnostics for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections

BACKGROUND

Invasive fungal infections cause millions of infections annually, but diagnosis remains challenging. There is an increased need for low-cost, easy to use, highly sensitive and specific molecular assays that can differentiate between colonized and pathogenic organisms from different clinical specimens.

AREAS COVERED

We reviewed the literature evaluating the current state of molecular diagnostics for invasive fungal infections, focusing on current and novel molecular tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), digital PCR, high-resolution melt (HRM), and metagenomics/next generation sequencing (mNGS).

EXPERT OPINION

PCR is highly sensitive and specific, although performance can be impacted by prior/concurrent antifungal use. PCR assays can identify mutations associated with antifungal resistance, non-Aspergillus mold infections, and infections from endemic fungi. HRM is a rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic modality that can identify a wide range of fungal pathogens, including down to the species level, but multiplex assays are limited and HRM is currently unavailable in most healthcare settings, although universal HRM is working to overcome this limitation. mNGS offers a promising approach for rapid and hypothesis-free diagnosis of a wide range of fungal pathogens, although some drawbacks include limited access, variable performance across platforms, the expertise and costs associated with this method, and long turnaround times in real-world settings.

Virus-associated fungal infections and lost immune resistance

Invasive fungal infections are an increasing threat to human health. Of recent concern is the emergence of influenza- or SARS-CoV-2-virus-associated invasive fungal infections. Understanding acquired susceptibilities to fungi requires consideration of the collective and newly explored roles of adaptive, innate, and natural immunity. Neutrophils are known to provide host resistance, but new concepts are emerging that implicate innate antibodies, the actions of specialized B1 B cell subsets, and B cell-neutrophil crosstalk in mediating antifungal host resistance. Based on emerging evidence, we propose that virus infections impact on neutrophil and innate B cell resistance against fungi, leading to invasive infections. These concepts provide novel approaches to developing candidate therapeutics with the aim of restoring natural and humoral immunity and boosting neutrophil resistance against fungi.

Statement des Netzwerkes Schimmelpilzberatung Deutschland zu gesundheitlichen Risiken durch Schimmel im Innenraum in Zusammenhang mit Armutsgefährdung

Das Netzwerk Schimmelpilzberatung Deutschland kam bei seinem Treffen am 20. Juni 2022 zu dem Schluss, dass armutsgefährdete Menschen einem erhöhten gesundheitlichen Risiko durch Feuchte-/Schimmelschäden im Innenraum ausgesetzt sind, und hat hierzu eine ausführliche Stellungnahme verfasst, die in der Zeitschrift Umweltmedizin – Hygiene – Arbeitsmedizin 2022; 27(5): 249–252 veröffentlicht wurde. Im Folgenden sind die Kernaussagen des Statements dargestellt.

Clinical features and outcome of influenza pneumonia in critically-ill immunocompromised patients

Immunocompromised subjects are at risk of severe viral infections which may require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Data on the outcome of influenza pneumonia in critically-ill immunocompromised subjects are limited. We conducted a single-center observational study. All subjects admitted to the ICU for influenza pneumonia between 2016 and 2020 were included. The main objective was to compare the clinical features and outcome of critically-ill subjects with flu according to their immune status. 137 subjects (age 60 years-old, 58.4% male) were included, of whom 58 (42.34%) were intubated during the ICU stay. Forty-three (31.4%) subjects were immunocompromised. Immunocompromised subjects had a higher Charlson comorbidity index. In contrast, severity scores and hypoxemia at ICU admission, and ventilatory support during ICU stay were similar between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the rate of co-infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia between the 2 groups. Among intubated subjects, 10 (23.26%) immunocompromised subjects developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome compared to 13 (13.83%) non-immunocompromised (P = .218). ICU mortality was 13.97%, with mortality being 3-times higher in immunocompromised subjects (25.58% vs 8.6%, P = .015). On multivariable analysis, immunocompromised status, higher age and lower arterial oxygen partial pressure/fraction of inspired oxygen were associated with an increased ICU mortality. Immunocompromised subjects with severe influenza pneumonia were more likely to develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and had a 3-fold increase in ICU mortality compared to non-immunocompromised subjects. Such difference was not explained by an increased rate of co-infections or nosocomial pneumonia, suggesting that influenza virus was by itself responsible of a more severe form of pulmonary disease in immunocompromised subjects.

A B1a-natural IgG-neutrophil axis is impaired in viral- and steroid-associated aspergillosis

The lung naturally resists Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) in healthy individuals, but multiple conditions can disrupt this resistance, leading to lethal invasive infections. Core processes of natural resistance and its breakdown are undefined. We investigated three distinct conditions predisposing to lethal aspergillosis-severe SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection, influenza A viral pneumonia, and systemic corticosteroid use-in human patients and murine models. We found a conserved and essential coupling of innate B1a lymphocytes, Af-binding natural immunoglobulin G antibodies, and lung neutrophils. Failure of this axis concealed Af from neutrophils, allowing rapid fungal invasion and disease. Reconstituting the axis with immunoglobulin therapy reestablished resistance, thus representing a realistic pathway to repurpose currently available therapies. Together, we report a vital host resistance pathway that is responsible for protecting against life-threatening aspergillosis in the context of distinct susceptibilities.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a pan-fungal vaccine in preclinical models of aspergillosis, candidiasis, and pneumocystosis

Invasive fungal infections cause over 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Despite increases in fungal infections as well as the numbers of individuals at risk, there are no clinically approved fungal vaccines. We produced a "pan-fungal" peptide, NXT-2, based on a previously identified vaccine candidate and homologous sequences from Pneumocystis, Aspergillus,Candida, and Cryptococcus. We evaluated the immunogenicity and protective capacity of NXT-2 in murine and nonhuman primate models of invasive aspergillosis, systemic candidiasis, and pneumocystosis. NXT-2 was highly immunogenic and immunized animals had decreased mortality and morbidity compared to nonvaccinated animals following induction of immunosuppression and challenge with Aspergillus, Candida, or Pneumocystis. Data in multiple animal models support the concept that immunization with a pan-fungal vaccine prior to immunosuppression induces broad, cross-protective antifungal immunity in at-risk individuals.

COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis: an underdiagnosed or overtreated infection?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) may concern up to one third of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The purpose of this review is to discuss the diagnostic criteria, the pathogenesis, the risk factors, the incidence, the impact on outcome, and the diagnostic and therapeutic management of CAPA in critically ill patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of CAPA ranges 3--28% of critically ill patients, depending on the definition used, study design, and systematic or triggered screening. COVID-19 is associated with direct damage of the respiratory epithelium, immune dysregulation, and common use of immunosuppressive drugs which might promote Aspergillus respiratory tract colonization and invasion. Positive Aspergillus tests among COVID-19 critically patients might reflect colonization rather than invasive disease. CAPA usually appears during the second week after starting invasive mechanical ventilation and is independently associated with ICU mortality.

SUMMARY

Further studies are needed to validate CAPA case definitions, to determine the accurate incidence of CAPA in comparison to adequate controls, and its evolution during the pandemic. A pro-active diagnostic strategy, based on risk stratification, clinical assessment, and bronchoalveolar lavage could be recommended to provide early antifungal treatment in patients with high probability of CAPA and clinical deterioration.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Fungal Infection Risk, United States, 2019

Diagnosis disproportionately affected minority and low-income populations, underscoring the need for broad public health interventions.

Fungal infections cause substantial rates of illness and death. Interest in the association between demographic factors and fungal infections is increasing. We analyzed 2019 US hospital discharge data to assess factors associated with fungal infection diagnosis, including race and ethnicity and socioeconomic status. We found male patients were 1.5–3.5 times more likely to have invasive fungal infections diagnosed than were female patients. Compared with hospitalizations of non-Hispanic White patients, Black, Hispanic, and Native American patients had 1.4–5.9 times the rates of cryptococcosis, pneumocystosis, and coccidioidomycosis. Hospitalizations associated with lower-income areas had increased rates of all fungal infections, except aspergillosis. Compared with younger patients, fungal infection diagnosis rates, particularly for candidiasis, were elevated among persons > 65 years of age. Our findings suggest that differences in fungal infection diagnostic rates are associated with demographic and socioeconomic factors and highlight an ongoing need for increased physician evaluation of risk for fungal infections.

The Changing Landscape of Invasive Fungal Infections in ICUs: A Need for Risk Stratification to Better Target Antifungal Drugs and the Threat of Resistance

The landscape of invasive candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis has changed dramatically in intensive care units over the past two decades. Today, we are faced with new risk factors such as the emergence of resistance, but are also equipped with new therapeutic strategies and diagnostic tools which are changing epidemiological data and diagnostic algorithms. Some common points need to be addressed: (i) the best way to use microbiological tools and to integrate their results in decisional algorithms; (ii) the need to find the optimum balance between under-diagnosis and overtreatment; (iii) and the need to decipher pathophysiology. In this short review, we will try to illustrate these points.

Mechanistic Basis of Super-Infection: Influenza-Associated Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Influenza infection is a risk factor for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. The purpose of this review is to highlight the epidemiology of influenza-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and the mechanistic studies that have been performed to delineate how influenza increases susceptibility to this invasive fungal infection.

Severe Infections Due to Respiratory Viruses

Severe viral infections may result in severe illnesses capable of causing acute respiratory failure that could progress rapidly to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), related to worse outcomes, especially in individuals with a higher risk of infection, including the elderly and those with comorbidities such as asthma, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease. In addition, in cases of severe viral pneumonia, co-infection with bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus is related to worse outcomes. Respiratory viruses like influenza, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus have increasingly been detected. This trend has become more prevalent, especially in critically ill patients, due to the availability and implementation of molecular assays in clinical practice. Respiratory viruses have been diagnosed as a frequent cause of severe pneumonia, including cases of community-acquired pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. In this review, we will discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, management, and prognosis of patients with severe infections due to respiratory viruses, with a focus on influenza viruses, non-influenza viruses, and coronaviruses.

Prevalence and Healthcare Burden of Fungal Infections in the United States, 2018

Background

Fungal infections are responsible for >1.5 million deaths globally per year, primarily in those with compromised immune function. This is concerning as the number of immunocompromised patients, especially in those without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has risen in the past decade. The purpose of this analysis was to provide the current prevalence and impact of fungal disease in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed hospital discharge data from the most recent (2018) Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample, and outpatient visit data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Costs are presented in 2018 United States (US) dollars.

Results

In the 35.5 million inpatient visits documented in 2018 in the US, approximately 666 235 fungal infections were diagnosed, with an estimated attributable cost of $6.7 billion. Aspergillus, Pneumocystis, and Candida infections accounted for 76.3% of fungal infections diagnosed, and 81.1% of associated costs. Most fungal disease occurred in patients with elevated risk of infection. The visit costs, lengths of stay, and risks of mortality in this population were more than twice that of those without fungal diagnoses. A further 6.6 million fungal infections were diagnosed during outpatient visits.

Conclusions

Fungal disease is a serious clinical concern with substantial healthcare costs and significant increases in morbidity and mortality, particularly among predisposed patients. Increased surveillance, standardized treatment guidelines, and improvement in diagnostics and therapeutics are needed to support the rising numbers of at-risk patients.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among intubated patients with SARS-CoV-2 or influenza pneumonia: a European multicenter comparative cohort study

BACKGROUND

Recent multicenter studies identified COVID-19 as a risk factor for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). However, no large multicenter study has compared the incidence of IPA between COVID-19 and influenza patients.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of putative IPA in critically ill SARS-CoV-2 patients, compared with influenza patients.

METHODS

This study was a planned ancillary analysis of the coVAPid multicenter retrospective European cohort. Consecutive adult patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for > 48 h for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia or influenza pneumonia were included. The 28-day cumulative incidence of putative IPA, based on Blot definition, was the primary outcome. IPA incidence was estimated using the Kalbfleisch and Prentice method, considering extubation (dead or alive) within 28 days as competing event.

RESULTS

A total of 1047 patients were included (566 in the SARS-CoV-2 group and 481 in the influenza group). The incidence of putative IPA was lower in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia group (14, 2.5%) than in influenza pneumonia group (29, 6%), adjusted cause-specific hazard ratio (cHR) 3.29 (95% CI 1.53-7.02, p = 0.0006). When putative IPA and Aspergillus respiratory tract colonization were combined, the incidence was also significantly lower in the SARS-CoV-2 group, as compared to influenza group (4.1% vs. 10.2%), adjusted cHR 3.21 (95% CI 1.88-5.46, p < 0.0001). In the whole study population, putative IPA was associated with significant increase in 28-day mortality rate, and length of ICU stay, compared with colonized patients, or those with no IPA or Aspergillus colonization.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the incidence of putative IPA was low. Its incidence was significantly lower in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia than in those with influenza pneumonia. Clinical trial registration The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04359693 .

Management of Severe Influenza

Influenza infection causes severe illness in 3 to 5 million people annually, with up to an estimated 650,000 deaths per annum. As such, it represents an ongoing burden to health care systems and human health. Severe acute respiratory infection can occur, resulting in respiratory failure requiring intensive care support. Herein we discuss diagnostic approaches, including development of CLIA-waived point of care tests that allow rapid diagnosis and treatment of influenza. Bacterial and fungal coinfections in severe influenza pneumonia are associated with worse outcomes, and we summarize the approach and treatment options for diagnosis and treatment of bacterial and Aspergillus coinfection. We discuss the available drug options for the treatment of severe influenza, and treatments which are no longer supported by the evidence base. Finally, we describe the supportive management and ventilatory approach to patients with respiratory failure as a result of severe influenza in the intensive care unit.

A Visual and Comprehensive Review on COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA)

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a severe fungal infection complicating critically ill COVID-19 patients. Numerous retrospective and prospective studies have been performed to get a better grasp on this lethal co-infection. We performed a qualitative review and summarized data from 48 studies in which 7047 patients had been included, of whom 820 had CAPA. The pooled incidence of proven, probable or putative CAPA was 15.1% among 2953 ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients included in 18 prospective studies. Incidences showed great variability due to multiple factors such as discrepancies in the rate and depth of the fungal work-up. The pathophysiology and risk factors for CAPA are ill-defined, but therapy with corticosteroids and anti-interleukin-6 therapy potentially confer the biggest risk. Sampling for mycological work-up using bronchoscopy is the cornerstone for diagnosis, as imaging is often aspecific. CAPA is associated with an increased mortality, but we do not have conclusive data whether therapy contributes to an increased survival in these patients. We conclude our review with a comparison between influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) and CAPA.

Incidence, risk factors and mortality of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with influenza: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

An increasing number of cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) complicating influenza have been described. We performed a meta‐analysis to estimate the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of IPA in patients with influenza.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases from their inception to 31 August 2021 for eligible studies. Data on the incidence and risk factors of and mortality due to IPA in influenza patients were pooled using a random‐effects model. Sensitivity analyses restricted to severe influenza requiring intensive care unit (ICU) support and multiple subgroup analyses were performed.

Results

Fourteen studies involving 6024 hospitalised patients with influenza were included. IPA was estimated to occur in 10% of influenza patients, with a mortality rate of 52%. Similar incidence (11%) and mortality (54%) estimates for IPA were observed in the sensitivity analysis including severe cases requiring ICU support. Subgroup analysis by geographical location showed a similar IPA rate between European (10%) and non‐European (11%) studies. The IPA rate in the subset of nine studies using the modified AspICU criteria was 13%. Most subgroup analyses showed ≥50% mortality in IPA patients. Several predictors for IPA susceptibility were identified, including male sex, smoking history, chronic lung disease, influenza A (H1N1), severe conditions requiring supportive therapy, corticosteroid use before admission, solid organ transplant and haematological malignancy.

Conclusions

The IPA is common in individuals with severe influenza, and the prognosis is particularly poor. Influenza patients, especially those with high‐risk factors, should be thoroughly screened for IPA.

The Impacts of Aspergillosis on Outcome, Burden and Risks for Mortality in Influenza Patients with Critical Illness

Previous studies have revealed higher mortality rates in patients with severe influenza who are coinfected with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) than in those without IPA coinfection; nonetheless, the clinical impact of IPA on economic burden and risk factors for mortality in critically ill influenza patients remains undefined. The study was retrospectively conducted in three institutes. From 2016 through 2018, all adult patients with severe influenza admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) were identified. All patients were classified as group 1, patients with concomitant severe influenza and IPA; group 2, severe influenza patients without IPA; and group 3, severe influenza patients without testing for IPA. Overall, there were 201 patients enrolled, including group 1 (n = 40), group 2 (n = 50), and group 3 (n = 111). Group 1 patients had a significantly higher mortality rate (20/40, 50%) than that of group 2 (6/50, 12%) and group 3 (18/11, 16.2%), p < 0.001. The risk factors for IPA occurrence were solid cancer and prolonged corticosteroid use in ICU of >5 days. Group 1 patients had significantly longer hospital stay and higher medical expenditure than the other two groups. The risk factors for mortality in group 1 patients included patients' Charlson comorbidity index, presenting APACHE II score, and complication of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Overall, IPA has a significant adverse impact on the outcome and economic burden of severe influenza patients, who should be promptly managed based on risk host factors for IPA occurrence and mortality risk factors for coinfection with both diseases.

Mortality Trends in Risk Conditions and Invasive Mycotic Disease in the United States, 1999-2018

BACKGROUND

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in the United States are chronically underdiagnosed and a lack of coordinated surveillance makes the true burden of disease difficult to determine. The purpose of this analysis was to capture mortality-associated burden of risk conditions and fungal infections.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the National Vital Statistics System from 1999-2018 to estimate the mortality attributed to risk conditions and related fungal disease.

RESULTS

The number of risk conditions associated with fungal disease is steadily rising in the United States with 1,047,422 diagnoses at time of death in 2018. While fungal disease decreased substantially from 1999 to 2010, primarily due to the control of HIV infection, the number deaths with fungal diagnosis has increased in the non-HIV cohort, with significant increases in patients with diabetes, cancer, immunosuppressive disorders, or sepsis.

CONCLUSION

The landscape of individuals at risk for serious fungal diseases is changing, with a continued decline in HIV-associated incidence, but increased diagnoses in patients with cancer, sepsis, immunosuppressive disorders, and influenza. Additionally, there is an overall increase in the number of fungal infections in recent years, indicating a failure to control fungal disease mortality in these new immunocompromised cohorts. Improvement in prevention and management of fungal diseases is needed to control morbidity and mortality in the rising number of immunocompromised and at-risk patients in the United States.

Navigating the uncertainties of COVID-19 associated aspergillosis (CAPA): A comparison with influenza associated aspergillosis (IAPA)

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is increasingly recognized as a life-threatening superinfection of severe respiratory viral infections, such as influenza. The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to emerging SARS-CoV-2 rose concern about the eventuality of IPA complicating COVID-19 in intensive care unit mechanically-ventilated patients. While the association between severe influenza and IPA has been demonstrated, it remains unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 infection represents a specific risk factor for IPA. A variable incidence of such complication has been previously reported, which can be partly attributed to differences in diagnostic strategy and IPA definitions, and possibly local environmental/epidemiological factors. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Compared to IAPA, the majority of CAPA cases have been classified as putative rather than proven/probable IPA, in the absence of positive serum galactomannan or histopathologic evidence of angio-invasion. Discrimination between Aspergillus airways colonization and CAPA is difficult. Distinct physiopathology and cytokine profiles of influenza and COVID-19 may explain these discrepancies. Whether CAPA represents a distinct entity is still debatable and many questions remain unanswered, such as its actual incidence, the predisposing role of corticosteroids or immunomodulatory drugs, and the indications for antifungal therapy.