Risk Factors for Fungal Co-Infections in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients, with a Focus on Immunosuppressants
Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: David S. Perlin
J. Fungi 2021, 7(7), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7070545
Received: 24 May 2021
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Revised: 28 June 2021
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Accepted: 29 June 2021
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Published: 9 July 2021
Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) managed in the intensive care unit are prone to complications, including secondary infections with opportunistic fungal pathogens. Systemic fungal co-infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients may exacerbate COVID-19 disease severity, hamper treatment effectiveness and increase mortality. Here, we reiterate the role of fungal co-infections in exacerbating COVID-19 disease severity as well as highlight emerging trends related to fungal disease burden in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we provide perspectives on the risk factors for fungal co-infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and highlight the potential role of prolonged immunomodulatory treatments in driving fungal co-infections, including COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), COVID-19-associated candidiasis (CAC) and mucormycosis. We reiterate the need for early diagnosis of suspected COVID-19-associated systemic mycoses in the hospital setting.
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Keywords:
COVID-19; fungal co-infections; corticosteroid treatment; COVID-19-associated candidiasis; COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis; mucormycosis
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MDPI and ACS Style
Ezeokoli, O.T.; Gcilitshana, O.; Pohl, C.H. Risk Factors for Fungal Co-Infections in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients, with a Focus on Immunosuppressants. J. Fungi 2021, 7, 545. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7070545
AMA Style
Ezeokoli OT, Gcilitshana O, Pohl CH. Risk Factors for Fungal Co-Infections in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients, with a Focus on Immunosuppressants. Journal of Fungi. 2021; 7(7):545. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7070545
Chicago/Turabian StyleEzeokoli, Obinna T., Onele Gcilitshana, and Carolina H. Pohl. 2021. "Risk Factors for Fungal Co-Infections in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients, with a Focus on Immunosuppressants" Journal of Fungi 7, no. 7: 545. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7070545
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