Aspergillus but Not Candida: Fatal Fungus Infection in Critical COVID-19
Patients
Abstract
Abstract Objectives: Earlier researches suggested patients should be
routinely screened for bacteria and fungi infection after COVID-19 being
confirmed. Here, we enrolled 236 patients with COVID-19 to analyze the
clinical characteristics, fungal strains, mortality, and laboratory data
of different groups. Design: Single center retrospective study Patients:
A total of 236 COVID-19 patients from Huoshenshan Hospital were included
in this study, consisting of 14(6%) died cases, 222(94%) discharged
cases . Results: The result revealed that 5 mortality in positive group
were all related to aspergillus infection while candida infection rarely
caused death. Aspergillus was most common in non-survivors while candida
was most common in survivors. In terms of interleukin-6 (IL6), viral
loads, nucleic acid clearance time, etc, fungal serologically positive
group had a higher level than negative group. Conclusions: Non-survivors
of Covid-19 with fungal infection were almost associated with
aspergillus infection. Aspergillus infection, instead of candida
infection might be fatal for critical ill patients with COVID-19. There
is great significance to carry out routine screening for fungal
infection especially for critical patients to enable early treatment to
be implemented. Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); fungal
infection; aspergillus; mortality