Knowledge of Infectious Disease Specialists Regarding Aspergillosis Complicating Influenza, United States

Interactions among microorganisms open up a new world for anti-infectious therapy

The human microbiome, containing bacteria, fungi, and viruses, is a community that coexists peacefully with humans most of the time, but with the potential to cause disease under certain conditions. When the environment changes or certain stimuli are received, microbes may interact with each other, causing or increasing the severity of disease in a host. With the appropriate methods, we can make these microbiota work for us, creating new applications for human health. This review discusses the wide range of interactions between microorganisms that result in an increase in susceptibility to, severity of, and mortality of diseases, and also briefly introduces how microorganisms interact with each other directly or indirectly. The study of microbial interactions and their mechanisms has revealed a new world of treatments for infectious disease. The regulation of the balance between intestinal flora, the correct application of probiotics, and the development of effective drugs by symbiosis all demonstrate the great contributions of the microbiota to human health and its powerful potential value. Consequently, the study of interactions between microorganisms plays an essential role in identifying the causes of diseases and the development of treatments.

A case of influenza-associated invasive aspergillosis with cerebral hemorrhage due to infectious vasculopathy

An invasive aspergillosis (IA) primarily occurs among immunocompromised patients. Recently with an influenzae infection prevalently spreading, influenzae-associated invasive aspergillosis (IAIA) has been reported occasionally. By contrast, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) occurs rarely in psychiatric patients who are treated with Olanzapine. We report a 43 years old male with psychiatric disorder who had developed IAIA followed by NMS and cerebral hemorrhage as the result of aspergillus invasion to cerebral vessels. He had also super-infection of COVID-19, 13 months later to be saved completely after invasive mechanical respiratory supports. From clinical aspects, we would emphasize that it is of importance to find earlier co-occurrence of IAIA patients with cerebral hemorrhage due to secondary infectious vasculopathy of IA.

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.

Aspergillosis: Emerging risk groups in critically ill patients

Information on invasive aspergillosis (IA) and other invasive filamentous fungal infections is limited in non-neutropenic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and presenting with no classic IA risk factors. This review is based on the critical appraisal of relevant literature, on the authors' own experience and on discussions that took place at a consensus conference. It aims to review risk factors favoring aspergillosis in ICU patients, with a special emphasis on often overlooked or neglected conditions. In the ICU patients, corticosteroid use to treat underlying conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sepsis, or severe COVID-19, represents a cardinal risk factor for IA. Important additional host risk factors are COPD, decompensated cirrhosis, liver failure, and severe viral pneumonia (influenza, COVID-19). Clinical observations indicate that patients admitted to the ICU because of sepsis or acute respiratory distress syndrome are more likely to develop probable or proven IA, suggesting that sepsis could also be a possible direct risk factor for IA, as could small molecule inhibitors used in oncology. There are no recommendations for prophylaxis in ICU patients; posaconazole mold-active primary prophylaxis is used in some centers according to guidelines for other patient populations and IA treatment in critically ill patients is basically the same as in other patient populations. A combined evaluation of clinical signs and imaging, classical biomarkers such as the GM assay, and fungal cultures examination, remain the best option to assess response to treatment.

LAY SUMMARY

The use of corticosteroids and the presence of co-morbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute or chronic advanced liver disease, or severe viral pneumonia caused by influenza or Covid-19, may increase the risk of invasive aspergillosis in intensive care unit patients.

Recent Trends in the Epidemiology of Fungal Infections

The breadth of fungi causing human disease and the spectrum of clinical presentations associated with these infections has widened. Epidemiologic trends display dramatic shifts with expanding geographic ranges, identification of new at-risk groups, increasing prevalence of resistant infections, and emergence of novel multidrug-resistant pathogenic fungi. Certain fungi have been transmitted between patients in clinical settings. Major health events not typically associated with mycoses resulted in larger proportions of the population susceptible to secondary fungal infections. Many health care-related, environmental, and socioeconomic factors have influenced these epidemiologic shifts. This review summarizes updates to clinically significant fungal pathogens in North America.

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.

Epidemiological Correlation of Pulmonary Aspergillus Infections with Ambient Pollutions and Influenza A (H1N1) in Southern Taiwan

An increase in fungal spores in ambient air is reported during a spike in particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) aerosols generated during dust or smog events. However, little is known about the impact of ambient bioaerosols on fungal infections in humans. To identify the correlation between the incidence of pulmonary aspergillosis and PM-associated bioaerosols (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), we retrospectively analyzed data between 2015 and 2018 (first stage) and prospectively analyzed data in 2019 (second stage). Patient data were collected from patients in three medical institutions in Tainan, a city with a population of 1.88 million, located in southern Taiwan. PM data were obtained from the Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network. Overall, 544 non-repeated aspergillosis patients (first stage, n = 340; second stage, n = 204) were identified and enrolled for analysis. The trend of aspergillosis significantly increased from 2015 to 2019. Influenza A (H1N1) and ambient PMs (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) levels had significant effects on aspergillosis from 2015 to 2018. However, ambient PMs and influenza A (H1N1) in Tainan were correlated with the occurrence of aspergillosis in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Overall (2015–2019), aspergillosis was significantly correlated with influenza (p = 0.002), influenza A (H1N1) (p < 0.001), and PM_2.5 (p = 0.040) in Tainan City. Using a stepwise regression model, influenza A (H1N1) (p < 0.0001) and Tainan PM₁₀ (p = 0.016) could significantly predict the occurrence of aspergillosis in Tainan. PM-related bioaerosols and influenza A (H1N1) contribute to the incidence of pulmonary aspergillosis.

Invasive Aspergillosis After Influenza and Other Viral Respiratory Infections Among Intensive Care Unit Patients in a Commercially Insured Population in the United States, 2013-2018

Influenza-associated aspergillosis (IAA) is an emerging phenomenon in intensive care unit patients with severe influenza. In a large US health insurance claims database, IAA was uncommon (0.3%) during 2013-2018. The low IAA frequency likely reflects underdiagnosis and differences in medical practices or epidemiologic differences.

Aspergillosis Complicating Severe Coronavirus Disease

Aspergillosis complicating severe influenza infection has been increasingly detected worldwide. Recently, coronavirus disease-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been detected through rapid reports, primarily from centers in Europe. We provide a case series of CAPA, adding 20 cases to the literature, with review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and outcomes. The syndromes of pulmonary aspergillosis complicating severe viral infections are distinct from classic invasive aspergillosis, which is recognized most frequently in persons with neutropenia and in other immunocompromised persons. Combined with severe viral infection, aspergillosis comprises a constellation of airway-invasive and angio-invasive disease and results in risks associated with poor airway fungus clearance and killing, including virus- or inflammation-associated epithelial damage, systemic immunosuppression, and underlying lung disease. Radiologic abnormalities can vary, reflecting different pathologies. Prospective studies reporting poor outcomes in CAPA patients underscore the urgent need for strategies to improve diagnosis, prevention, and therapy.

Does Pulmonary Aspergillosis Complicate Coronavirus Disease 2019?

OBJECTIVES

Aspergillus coinfection in coronavirus disease 2019 patients has rarely been described but may be occurring among coronavirus disease 2019 patients admitted to ICUs. Previous reports of viral coinfections with Aspergillus, including influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis, suggest that coronavirus disease 2019-associated aspergillosis is plausible. This report aims to summarize what is known about coronavirus disease 2019 complicated by Aspergillus, introduces coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary aspergillosis as a possible clinical entity, and describes reasons clinical suspicion of Aspergillus is warranted in the critical care setting.

DATA SOURCES

We summarize the available evidence suggesting the existence of Aspergillus coinfection among severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients. This includes published coronavirus disease 2019 patient case series, a case description, and a review of potential biologic mechanisms.

STUDY SELECTION

Reports of coronavirus disease 2019 patient attributes were selected if they included clinical, microbiologic, or radiologic signs of invasive fungal infection.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data included in summary tables were identified through a literature search for coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary aspergillosis.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We present descriptive data extracted from coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary aspergillosis case series current at the time of article submission.

DISCUSSION

Pulmonary aspergillosis is known to occur among influenza patients requiring intensive care and is associated with increased mortality. If Aspergillus coinfections are occurring among coronavirus disease 2019 patients, early clinical suspicion and testing are needed to understand the epidemiology of these infections and prevent associated mortality. As the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic unfolds, reports on the existence of this coinfection are needed, and opportunities to contribute cases of Aspergillus coinfection among coronavirus disease 2019 patients to an ongoing registry are described.

Fatal Invasive Aspergillosis and Coronavirus Disease in an Immunocompetent Patient

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a complication in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, especially those with severe influenza pneumonia. We report a fatal case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient in France who had severe coronavirus disease-associated pneumonia.