Features Of Fungal Infections Research Articles

Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis associated with COVID-19: Course changes and prognosis predictors

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the behavior of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) associated with COVID-19 infection as there has been an increase in the rate of AIFRS cases in the last two years, and many reports connected this rising with the COVID-19 infection. We studied most factors that may impact the prognosis as a trial to find the most affecting factors to improve the outcomes. MethodsIt was a retrospective observational study that included cases from four tertiary referral institutions between November 2020 to February 2022. We included sixty-six patients who suffered from AIFRS associated with confirmed COVID-19. We observed the prognosis of all included patients with a six-month follow-up. We correlated the prognosis with many factors, such as demographic data, medical conditions, blood investigations, the features of fungal infections, and management. ResultsForty-two patients (64%) survived after the AIFRS associated with COVID-19, and twenty-two patients (36%) died. High doses of corticosteroids with prolonged use were the main factors that affected the behavior of the AIFRS associated with COVID-19. HbA1c was a good predictor of the prognosis; a level less than 9.35% may indicate survival with 87.5% sensitivity. ConclusionsAccording to this multi-center study, the mortality of the AIFRS associated with COVID-19 was high. The behavior was affected by glycemic control, the type of fungal species, and the type of antifungal therapy. Early surgical debridement, a combination of Amphotericin B with Voriconazole, and anticoagulants helped improve the prognosis.

Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis associated with COVID-19: Course changes and prognosis predictors

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the behavior of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) associated with COVID-19 infection as there has been an increase in the rate of AIFRS cases in the last two years, and many reports connected this rising with the COVID-19 infection. We studied most factors that may impact the prognosis as a trial to find the most affecting factors to improve the outcomes. MethodsIt was a retrospective observational study that included cases from four tertiary referral institutions between November 2020 to February 2022. We included sixty-six patients who suffered from AIFRS associated with confirmed COVID-19. We observed the prognosis of all included patients with a six-month follow-up. We correlated the prognosis with many factors, such as demographic data, medical conditions, blood investigations, the features of fungal infections, and management. ResultsForty-two patients (64%) survived after the AIFRS associated with COVID-19, and twenty-two patients (36%) died. High doses of corticosteroids with prolonged use were the main factors that affected the behavior of the AIFRS associated with COVID-19. HbA1c was a good predictor of the prognosis; a level less than 9.35% may indicate survival with 87.5% sensitivity. ConclusionsAccording to this multi-center study, the mortality of the AIFRS associated with COVID-19 was high. The behavior was affected by glycemic control, the type of fungal species, and the type of antifungal therapy. Early surgical debridement, a combination of Amphotericin B with Voriconazole, and anticoagulants helped improve the prognosis.

Imaging of CNS Fungal Infections: Review Article

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are usually identified in immunocompromised patients but rare in immunocompetent hosts. The clinical and imaging manifestations are mainly influenced by types of fungal pathogen and immune status of the patients. The CNS fungal infections can develop through hematogenous dissemination from primary site of infection, cerebrospinal fluid seeding, or direct extension from adjacent sources of infection. Fungal infections can result in meningitis, meningoencephalitis, cerebritis, granuloma, or abscess formation, which imaging findings are often non-specific and difficult to distinguish from bacterial or tuberculous infection, non-infectious inflammatory disease, or even intracranial neoplasm. Vascular complications including vasculitis, cerebral infarction, or mycotic aneurysm are commonly present due to angioinvasion of fungal hyphae. In addition, some characteristic imaging features of fungal infections can be identified by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such as intracavitary projections in fungal abscesses and gelatinous pseudocysts in cryptococcosis that could help suggest the diagnosis. Recognizing the imaging findings of common intracranial fungal infections combined with appropriate clinical setting is crucial for allowing early diagnosis and leading to early specific treatment. The present article reviewed common imaging findings of CNS fungal infections and distinct imaging features of specific pathogens. Keywords: Fungal infection, Brain abscess, Cryptococcosis, Central nervous system (CNS), Computed tomography (CT), Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

508 Fungal Infections in Burn Patients from 2014–2019: A 5-year Retrospective Review

Abstract Introduction Topical and systemic antibiotic agents used to treat burn wounds allow for fungal growth. Fungal infections often occur later in the hospital course and carry a higher mortality rate than bacterial infections in critically ill burn patients. The primary objective of this study was to describe the incidence and characteristics of fungal infections in our burn center. Methods This was a retrospective chart review. Subjects who were admitted between January 2014 and February 2019 after sustaining a burn injury and received a systemic antifungal agent were included. All cultures and histopathology results that were positive for fungus were recorded. Results Ninety one subjects were included in this analysis. The average age was 42.3±16.9 years and 74 (81.3%) subjects were male. Seventy four (81.3%) subjects were admitted after flame burn. The average burn size was 40.1±24.2% TBSA. The average hospital length of stay was 57.2±44.8 days. Thirty eight (41.7%) subjects died during their hospital stay. The 91 subjects had 220 cultures positive for fungi: 29 blood cultures, 19 BAL cultures, 23 sputum cultures, 118 tissue cultures, and 31 urine cultures. The most common fungal genera isolated were: Candida (n=146), Aspergillus (n=55), and Fusarium (n=44). Twenty six (28.6%) subjects had histopathology results that showed fungus in non-viable tissue, with an average time from injury to fungus of 20.4±11.8 days. Twenty six (28.6%) subjects had histopathology results that showed fungus in viable tissue, with an average time from injury to fungus of 22.7±16.7 days. Of note, these were not the group that had fungus in non-viable tissue. Twelve (13.2%) subjects had angioinvasion, with an average time to angioinvasion of 26.6±22 days. The 91 subjects received 133 courses of antifungals. The average course of antifungal therapy was 7.8±8.9 days. The most common antifungals used were: micafungin (n=54), fluconazole (n=53), and liposomal amphotericin B (n=44). Conclusions Patients who were started on a systemic antifungal had a high mortality rate. Common fungi isolated included Candida and Aspergillus, which is consistent with previous literature. Further research is needed on the early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and timely management of fungal infections in this patient population. Applicability of Research to Practice Fungal infections after burn injury carry a high mortality rate. Early recognition and timely management of these infections is paramount.

Fungal infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.

Despite reports of fungal infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), their clinical and microbiological characteristics remain unknown. The aim of this systematic review was to examine all available evidence regarding fungal infections in patients with IBD. Systematic search of PubMed (through 27 May 2017) for studies providing data on clinical, microbiological, treatment and outcome data of fungal infections in patients with IBD. The primary study outcome was to record the most common fungal species in patients with IBD. Secondary outcomes were classified into 3 categories: (i) characteristics of fungal infections; (ii) data on IBD and (iii) treatment and outcomes of fungal infections in patients with IBD. Fourteen studies with data on 1524 patients were included in final analysis. The most common fungal infections in patients with IBD were caused by Candida species (903 infections); the most commonly reported site of Candida infection was the gastrointestinal tract. Available evidence shows that most fungal infections occur within 12months of IBD treatment and within 6months when anti-TNFa agents are used. This systematic review thoroughly describes fungal infections in patients with IBD and provides important information for the early detection and management of these infections.

Clinical Analysis of Severe Pulmonary Fungal Infection in Intensive Care Unit

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyze the characteristics of ICU patients with severe pulmonary fungal infection and the effect of preventive medicine. <strong>Method: </strong>The study group of 68 cases in the discovery of fungal infection associated with adverse symptoms before clinical implementation of preventive antibiotics, the control group of 52 cases in the discovery of symptoms and the diagnosis of fungal infection after symptomatic application of antibiotics. The efficacy of the two groups was compared and the characteristics of fungal infection were analyzed. <strong>Results</strong><strong>: </strong>The effective rate of the study group was significantly higher than control group (<em>p</em> < 0.05). The proportion of <em>Candida albicans</em> was the highest, and was significantly higher than that of smooth <em>Candida glabrata </em>and <em>Candida parapsilosis</em>, (<em>p</em> < 0.01). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>For the treatment of ICU severe pulmonary fungal infection in patients with the use of prophylactic antibiotics can improve the treatment effect of fungal infection, clinical medication should pay attention to avoid abuse and analysis of the characteristics of drug use.</p>

Fungal infection in premature

Objective To stuay the features of fungal infection by analyzing the preterm inpatient in our departrment retrospectively.Methods All preterm(1716 babies)inpatient in our department were ealtrolled between April 2005 to January 2008,and the assessment ofinfection was taken by elinical symptom and laratory examillation.The infected babies were give.flueonazol 6mg/(kg·d)by intravenous drip,and amphoteriein B and ganmla globulin would be used for those babies who were still sick.Results A total of 11 cases were diagnod as fungus infection.and another 26 cases of suspected fungus infecdon for a total of37 cases.accounting forthe total number of premature infants 2.16 percents;the death ofthree cases Qfinfection case-fatality rate was 8.1%.The average gestational age was(30.7±2.3)weeks,and 31 cases were less than 32 weeks,aceoundng or 83.78%.The average age ofinfecdon was(19.21±8.02)days;All babies were given two ormoire anubiodes,and used in part ortotal parenteral nutrition,and the number of babies had been conducted with invasive operation was 29.accounting for 78.38%.Conclusion Applicadon of a wide range of broad-spectnlm antibiotie,combined with a variety of antiNodes,invasive treatment in premature infants are nosoeomial fungal infection of the main faetors,the smaller gestational age,the more possibility fungal infoetion.Fluconazole is effective for fungal infection of newborns,and can be comidered as first.line drug.For premature infants,the longer-term(14 days or above)use of antifungal agents may be more appropriate treatment cycle. Key words: Premature; ungus; nfection