Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
09:52

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis

Published on: March 9, 2018

Five-years surveillance of invasive aspergillosis in a university hospital

Karolin Graf1, Somayeh Mohammad Khani, Ella Ott

  • 1Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Germany. graf.karolin@mh-hannover.de

BMC Infectious Diseases
|June 10, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) surveillance in a university hospital identified 214 cases, with many linked to healthcare. Altering antifungal prophylaxis significantly decreased IA incidence, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring in high-risk patients.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, associated with high mortality.
  • Current antifungal therapies are costly and can cause adverse effects.
  • Standardized surveillance is crucial for understanding IA incidence and impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in a tertiary care university hospital.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized surveillance method for IA detection.
  • To identify risk factors and trends in IA cases within the hospital setting.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of all inpatients for indicators: positive cultures, pathologist diagnosis, and antifungal treatment.
  • Review of identified patients and classification using international consensus criteria (EORTC).
  • Analysis of patient demographics, underlying conditions, and healthcare-associated infections.

Main Results:

  • 214 IA cases were detected (56 proven, 25 probable, 133 possible) among 704 screened patients.
  • 54% of proven/probable IA cases were healthcare-associated.
  • Solid organ/stem cell transplant recipients and cancer patients were high-risk groups; IA decreased significantly after prophylaxis changes.

Conclusions:

  • Solid organ and stem cell transplantation are key risk factors for IA.
  • Other immunosuppressive conditions also contribute to IA risk.
  • IA surveillance is vital, especially as autopsy confirmed cases missed by clinical diagnosis.

More Related Videos

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology08:01

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology

Published on: March 22, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...