Testing Practices for Fungal Respiratory Infections and SARS-CoV-2 among Infectious Disease Specialists, United States

Benedict, Kaitlin; Williams, Samantha; Beekmann, Susan E.; Polgreen, Philip M.; Jackson, Brendan R; Toda, Mitsuru

doi:10.3390/jof7080605

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…If the COVID-19 pandemic had not occurred, surely this series would show more than 500 cases. Unlike other fungal respiratory infections, no relationship between COVID-19 and PCM was documented [14,15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Clinical and Demographic Features of Paracoccidioidomycosis in Argentina: A Multicenter Study Analysis of 466 Cases

Giusiano

Tracogna²,

Santiso

et al. 2023

JoF

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Information on paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) in Argentina is fragmented and has historically been based on estimates, supported only by a series of a few reported cases. Considering the lack of global information, a national multicentric study in order to carry out a more comprehensive analysis was warranted. We present a data analysis including demographic and clinical aspects of a historical series of 466 cases recorded over 10 years (2012–2021). Patients were aged from 1 to 89 years. The general male: female (M:F) ratio was 9.5:1 with significant variation according to the age group. Interestingly, the age range 21–30 shows an M:F ratio of 2:1. Most of the cases (86%) were registered in northeast Argentina (NEA), showing hyperendemic areas in Chaco province with more than 2 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. The chronic clinical form occurred in 85.6% of cases and the acute/subacute form occurred in 14.4% of cases, but most of these juvenile type cases occurred in northwestern Argentina (NWA). In NEA, the incidence of the chronic form was 90.6%; in NWA, the acute/subacute form exceeded 37%. Diagnosis by microscopy showed 96% positivity but antibody detection displays 17% of false negatives. Tuberculosis was the most frequent comorbidity, but a diverse spectrum of bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic, and other non-infectious comorbidities was recorded. This national multicenter registry was launched in order to better understand the current status of PCM in Argentina and shows the two endemic zones with a highly diverse epidemiology.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Clinical and Demographic Features of Paracoccidioidomycosis in Argentina: A Multicenter Study Analysis of 466 Cases

Giusiano

Tracogna²,

Santiso

et al. 2023

JoF

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Another way to refer to the situation would be the "anchoring bias," defined as relying too heavily on a specific piece of information in order to make a decision, thereby creating situations of delay in treatment for the correct diagnosis experienced [111]. In general, it has been reported that COVID-19 did not impact testing frequencies for CM, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and cryptococcosis respiratory infections among a group of 174 infectious disease specialists; however, this observation should be taken with caution due to significant evidence of the diseases being historically underdiagnosed [112]. Furthermore, a lack of bronchoscopies and necropsies, occurring due to aerosolization risk of COVID-19, may be to blame for lack of fungal infection cases being reported [113].…”

Section: And Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 98%

Current Landscape of Coccidioidomycosis

Boro

Iyer

Walczak

2022

JoF

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is an endemic fungal infection commonly found in the southwestern parts of the United States. However, the disease has seen an increase in both in its area of residency and its prevalence. This review compiles some of the latest information on the epidemiology, current and in-development pharmaceutical approaches to treat the disease, trends and projections, diagnostic concerns, and the overlapping dynamics of coccidioidomycosis and COVID-19, including in special populations. This review provides an overview of the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and identifies areas of future development.

show abstract

“…infection. A survey of infectious disease physicians indicated that testing practices did not change because of COVID-19, though primary care doctors were not among the respondents to this survey [ 97 ]. It is also unknown whether health-seeking behavior or access to healthcare during the pandemic affected coccidioidomycosis case counts.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on the Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis

Williams

Chiller

2022

JoF

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. The dimorphic fungi live in the soils of arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States, as well as parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Incidence of disease has risen consistently in recent years, and the geographic distribution of Coccidioides spp. appears to be expanding beyond previously known areas of endemicity. Climate factors are predicted to further extend the range of environments suitable for the growth and dispersal of Coccidioides species. Most infections are asymptomatic, though a small proportion result in severe or life-threatening forms of disease. Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is commonly mistaken for community-acquired pneumonia, often leading to inappropriate antibacterial treatment and unnecessary healthcare costs. Diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is challenging and often relies on clinician suspicion to pursue laboratory testing. Advancements in diagnostic tools and antifungal therapy developments seek to improve the early detection and effective management of infection. This review will highlight recent updates and summarize the current understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of coccidioidomycosis.

show abstract

Testing Practices for Fungal Respiratory Infections and SARS-CoV-2 among Infectious Disease Specialists, United States

Cited by 7 publications

References 14 publications

Clinical and Demographic Features of Paracoccidioidomycosis in Argentina: A Multicenter Study Analysis of 466 Cases

Clinical and Demographic Features of Paracoccidioidomycosis in Argentina: A Multicenter Study Analysis of 466 Cases

Current Landscape of Coccidioidomycosis

Update on the Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About