COVID-19-associated fungal infections

• Published in: Nature microbiology Vol. 7; no. 8; pp. 1127 - 1140
• Main Authors: Hoenigl, Martin, Seidel, Danila, Sprute, Rosanne, Cunha, Cristina, Oliverio, Matteo, Goldman, Gustavo H., Ibrahim, Ashraf S., Carvalho, Agostinho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.08.2022; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 13/21; 692/499; 692/699/255/1672; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease transmission; Epidemics; Epidemiology; Fungal infections; Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Internal medicine; Life Sciences; Medical Microbiology; Medicine; Microbiology; Mortality; Pandemics; Parasitology; Pathogens; R&D; Research & development; Review; Review Article; Risk factors; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Steroids; Virology
• ISSN: 2058-5276; 2058-5276
• DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01172-2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated invasive fungal infections are an important complication in a substantial number of critically ill, hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Three groups of fungal pathogens cause co-infections in COVID-19: Aspergillus , Mucorales and Candida species, including Candida auris . Here we review the incidence of COVID-19-associated invasive fungal infections caused by these fungi in low-, middle- and high-income countries. By evaluating the epidemiology, clinical risk factors, predisposing features of the host environment and immunological mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of these co-infections, we set the scene for future research and development of clinical guidance. Hoenigl and colleagues review the epidemiology, immunology and clinical risk factors contributing to COVID-19-associated fungal infections.