Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged in China at the end of 2019. Because of the severe immunomodulation and lymphocyte depletion caused by this virus and the subsequent administration of drugs directed at the immune system, we anticipated that patients might experience fungal superinfection. We collected data from 186 patients who had coronavirus disease–associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) worldwide during March–August 2020. Overall, 182 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), including 180 with acute respiratory distress syndrome and 175 who received mechanical ventilation. CAPA was diagnosed a median of 10 days after coronavirus disease diagnosis.
Aspergillus fumigatus
was identified in 80.3% of patient cultures, 4 of which were azole-resistant. Most (52.7%) patients received voriconazole. In total, 52.2% of patients died; of the deaths, 33.0% were attributed to CAPA. We found that the cumulative incidence of CAPA in the ICU ranged from 1.0% to 39.1%.
Objectives
To provide a basis for clinical management decisions in Purpureocillium lilacinum infection.
Methods
Unpublished cases of invasive P. lilacinum infection from the FungiScope® registry and all cases reported in the literature were analysed.
Results
We identified 101 cases with invasive P. lilacinum infection. Main predisposing factors were haematological and oncological diseases in 31 cases (30.7%), steroid treatment in 27 cases (26.7%), solid organ transplant in 26 cases (25.7%), and diabetes mellitus in 19 cases (18.8%). The most prevalent infection sites were skin (n = 37/101, 36.6%) and lungs (n = 26/101, 25.7%). Dissemination occurred in 22 cases (21.8%). Pain and fever were the most frequent symptoms (n = 40/101, 39.6% and n = 34/101, 33.7%, respectively). Diagnosis was established by culture in 98 cases (97.0%). P. lilacinum caused breakthrough infection in 10 patients (9.9%). Clinical isolates were frequently resistant to amphotericin B, whereas posaconazole and voriconazole showed good in vitro activity. Susceptibility to echinocandins varied considerably. Systemic antifungal treatment was administered in 90 patients (89.1%). Frequently employed antifungals were voriconazole in 51 (56.7%) and itraconazole in 26 patients (28.9%). Amphotericin B treatment was significantly associated with high mortality rates (n = 13/33, 39.4%, P = <0.001). Overall mortality was 21.8% (n = 22/101) and death was attributed to P. lilacinum infection in 45.5% (n = 10/22).
Conclusions
P. lilacinum mainly presents as soft-tissue, pulmonary or disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients. Owing to intrinsic resistance, accurate species identification and susceptibility testing are vital. Outcome is better in patients treated with triazoles compared with amphotericin B formulations.
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