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COVID-19-associated fungal infections

Martin Hoenigl1,2,3, Danila Seidel4,5, Rosanne Sprute4,5

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. hoeniglmartin@gmail.com.

Nature Microbiology
|August 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal infections are a significant complication for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This review examines fungal co-infections caused by Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Candida species, including Candida auris.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Hospitalized patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) face a substantial risk of invasive fungal infections.
  • Co-infections with fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Candida species (e.g., Candida auris), are increasingly recognized complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the incidence of COVID-19-associated invasive fungal infections across different income countries.
  • To evaluate the epidemiology, clinical risk factors, host environment, and immunological mechanisms of these co-infections.
  • To provide a foundation for future research and clinical guidance development.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of COVID-19-associated invasive fungal infections.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data from low-, middle-, and high-income countries.
  • Evaluation of host-related factors and immunological responses.

Main Results:

  • Invasive fungal infections are a notable complication in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
  • Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Candida species are the primary fungal pathogens involved in COVID-19 co-infections.
  • Incidence and risk factors vary globally, necessitating tailored clinical approaches.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the multifaceted nature of fungal co-infections in COVID-19 is crucial for patient management.
  • Further research into pathogenesis and global epidemiology is needed to inform clinical guidelines.
  • Effective strategies are required to mitigate the impact of these serious co-infections.

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