Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
Black Fungus and beyond: COVID-19 associated infections
Sanaz Katal1, Liesl S Eibschutz2, Amir Reza Radmard3
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shiraz Kowsar Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
Abstract:
Globally, many hospitalized COVID-19 patients can experience an unexpected acute change in status, prompting rapid and expert clinical assessment. Superimposed infections can be a significant cause of clinical and radiologic deviations in this patient population, further worsening clinical outcome and muddling the differential diagnosis. As thrombotic, inflammatory, and medication-induced complications can also trigger an acute change in COVID-19 patient status, imaging early and often plays a vital role in distinguishing the cause of patient decline and monitoring patient outcome. While the common radiologic findings of COVID-19 infection are now widely reported, little is known about the clinical manifestations and imaging findings of superimposed infection. By discussing case studies of patients who developed bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral co-infections and identifying the most frequently reported imaging findings of superimposed infections, physicians will be more familiar with common infectious presentations and initiate a directed workup sooner. Ultimately, any abrupt changes in the expected COVID-19 imaging presentation, such as the presence of new consolidations or cavitation, should prompt further workup to exclude superimposed opportunistic infection.
Insights
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients may develop superimposed infections, complicating diagnosis and outcomes. Early and frequent imaging is crucial for identifying these infections and guiding treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are susceptible to acute status changes.
- Superimposed infections can significantly alter clinical and radiologic presentations.
- Differentiating infections from other complications (thrombotic, inflammatory, medication-induced) is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the clinical and imaging findings of superimposed infections in COVID-19 patients.
- To improve physician familiarity with co-infection presentations.
- To facilitate earlier and more directed diagnostic workups for COVID-19 complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of case studies involving bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral co-infections in COVID-19 patients.
- Identification and analysis of frequently reported imaging findings associated with superimposed infections.
- Correlation of imaging findings with clinical status changes.
Main Results:
- Superimposed infections present with diverse clinical and radiologic manifestations.
- Specific imaging findings, such as new consolidations or cavitation, may indicate opportunistic infections.
- Early and frequent imaging aids in distinguishing superimposed infections from other COVID-19 complications.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing deviations from typical COVID-19 imaging patterns is key to suspecting superimposed infections.
- Familiarity with co-infection imaging findings enables prompt diagnosis and management.
- Imaging plays a critical role in the early detection and monitoring of superimposed infections in COVID-19 patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
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...