Epidemiology of invasive fungal diseases on the basis of autopsy reports

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María Cecilia Dignani1

  • 1Registro de Micosis Invasoras REMIIN (Invasive Mycoses' Registry) Yerbal 315 App 2B, 1405, Buenos Aires Argentina ; Argentinean Society of Infectious Diseases Av. De Mayo 1370, Floor 11th, Of. 300, 1085, Buenos Aires Argentina ; Italian Hospital of Mendoza East Access 1070, San José, 5519, Mendoza Argentina.

F1000Prime Reports
|October 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Autopsy reports are crucial for understanding invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) in immunocompromised patients. Analyzing these reports helps improve diagnosis and track the true epidemiology of IFDs.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised populations.
  • Current diagnostic and treatment strategies for IFDs face considerable challenges, often necessitating empirical approaches.
  • Accurate epidemiological data for IFDs is limited due to diagnostic difficulties, with only an estimated 50% diagnosis rate before death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze epidemiological data on IFDs from autopsy reports.
  • To evaluate the role of autopsy findings in understanding IFD epidemiology.
  • To assess trends in pre-mortem diagnosis of IFDs as an indicator of diagnostic efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and analysis of data from 11 autopsy reports (single-center, multi-center, and nationwide).
  • Reports published between 2008 and 2013 were included.
  • Focus on data relevant to IFD epidemiology and diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • Autopsy reports provide essential insights into the true epidemiology of IFDs.
  • Analysis of autopsy data can reveal trends in the accuracy of pre-mortem IFD diagnoses.
  • The study highlights the limitations of current epidemiological data and the value of post-mortem investigations.

Conclusions:

  • Autopsy reports are invaluable for establishing accurate IFD epidemiology.
  • Improving the quality of epidemiological data from autopsy reports is essential for advancing IFD research and patient care.
  • Further research is needed to address challenges in IFD diagnosis and improve outcomes for immunocompromised patients.

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