Invasive Aspergillosis associated with Covid-19: A word of caution.

Authors :: Gouzien L
Cocherie T
Eloy O
Legriel S
Bedos JP
Simon C
Marque-Juillet S
Ferré A
Bruneel F
Source :: Infectious diseases now [Infect Dis Now] 2021 Jun; Vol. 51 (4), pp. 383-386. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jan 18.
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: Introduction: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a well-known complication of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the most serious manifestation of COVID-19. Four recent studies have reported its incidence among ICU COVID-19 patients. However, they do not share the same case definition, and have provided conflicting results. In this paper we have aimed at reported the incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis for COVID-19 patients in our ICU, and at comparing the different definitions in order to assess their respective relevance.<br />Methods: Retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 requiring ICU management between 1st March and 30th April 2020.<br />Results: Our results showed significantly lower incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (1.8%;1/53), compared to three out of four previous studies, and wide variation in the numbers of cases with regard to the different definitions.<br />Conclusion: Large-scale studies are needed for a better definition and a more accurate estimation of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis coinfection during COVID-19.<br /> (© 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)