Covid-Associated Aspergillus Infection
As many as 15% of patients with COVID-19 in the ICU develop Aspergillus infection, according to a multinational study published by the CDC. Having HIV/AIDS, COPD, or treatment with non–corticosteroid immunosuppressing drugs before ICU admission were risk factors for the infection. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia from February 2020 to April 2020. Patients ≥18 years of age with clinical features and abnormal chest imaging with confirmed COVID-19 by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were included. CAPA was diagnosed based on clinical parameters, radiological findings and mycological data. Data were recorded on a structured proforma, and descriptive analysis was performed using Stata ver 12.1. Results: A total of 147 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and 23 (15.6%) patients requiring ICU admission were identified.Aspergillus species were isolated from tracheal aspirates of nine (39.1%) patients, and of these, five patients (21.7%) were diagnosed with CAPA and four (17.4%) had Aspergillus colonisation. The mean age of patients with CAPA was 69 years (Median age: 71, IQR: 24, Range: 51-85), and 3/5 patients were male. The most frequent co-morbid was diabetes mellitus (4/5). The overall fatality rate of COVID-19 patients with aspergillosis was 44%
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