Spectrum of fungal infections in patients with COVID-19

Authors

  • Kiran Kumar CK Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India
  • Venugopal K Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Hassan Institute Of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  • Priyashree R Senior resident, Department of Nephrology, Osmania medical college,Hyderabad,India

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Fungal co infection, Aspergillosis, Candidiasis.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been sweeping across the globe. Based on a retrospective analysis of SARS and influenza data from China and worldwide, we surmise that the fungal co-infections associated with global COVID-19 might be missed or misdiagnosed. Although there are few publications, COVID-19 patients, especially severely ill or immunocompromised, have a higher probability of suffering from invasive mycoses. Aspergillus and Candida infections in COVID-19 patients will require early detection by a comprehensive diagnostic intervention (histopathology, direct microscopic examination, culture, (1, 3)-b- D-glucan, galactomannan, and PCR-based assays) to ensure effective treatments. We suggest it is prudent to assess the risk factors, the types of invasive mycosis, the strengths and limitations of diagnostic methods, clinical settings, and the need for standard or individualized treatment in COVID-19 patients. We provide a clinical flow diagram to assist the clinicians and laboratory experts in the management of aspergillosis, candidiasis, mucormycosis, or cryptococcosis as comorbidities in COVID-19 patients.

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Published

2021-12-09

How to Cite

Kiran Kumar CK, Venugopal K, & Priyashree R. (2021). Spectrum of fungal infections in patients with COVID-19. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 4(21), 85–87. Retrieved from https://ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/3339