COVID-19 and Fungal infections: a double debacle

Sara Mina1, Hajar Yaakoub2, Cédric Annweiler3

  • 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon.

Microbes and Infection
|August 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Treating fungal infections in critically ill COVID-19 patients is challenging due to diagnostic difficulties and drug interactions. This review highlights risk factors and management strategies for common fungal co-infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Fungal infections pose significant treatment challenges, especially in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
  • Limited antifungal options and toxic interactions with immunosuppressants complicate co-infection management.
  • The rise in fungal co-infections (e.g., Aspergillus, Candida, Mucorales) in COVID-19 patients presents a critical public health concern.

Conclusions:

  • Improved management of fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients is urgently needed.
  • Addressing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges is crucial for better patient outcomes.
  • Understanding risk factors and immunosuppression is key to combating these severe co-infections.

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