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Review
. 2020 Jul 22;6(3):115.
doi: 10.3390/jof6030115.

COVID-19 Associated Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges

Aia Mohamed  1 , Thomas R Rogers  2 , Alida Fe Talento  1   3
Affiliations
Review

COVID-19 Associated Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges

Aia Mohamed et al. J Fungi (Basel). .

Abstract

Aspergillus co-infection in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome, has recently been reported. To date, 38 cases have been reported, with other cases most likely undiagnosed mainly due to a lack of clinical awareness and diagnostic screening. Importantly, there is currently no agreed case definition of COVID-19 associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) that could aid in the early detection of this co-infection. Additionally, with the global emergence of triazole resistance, we emphasize the importance of antifungal susceptibility testing in order to ensure appropriate antifungal therapy. Herein is a review of 38 published CAPA cases, which highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by this novel fungal co-infection.

Keywords: COVID-19 associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; COVID-19 pneumonia; diagnosis; invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; multi-triazole resistance.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.M. has no conflict of interests. T.R. Rogers received grants and personal fees from Gilead Sciences, personal fees and educational meeting support from Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, and personal fees from Menarini Pharma outside the submitted work. A.F. Talento received grant and personal fees from Gilead Sciences, and personal fees from Pfizer Healthcare Ireland outside the submitted work.

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