1. A Regional Observational Study on COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) within Intensive Care Unit: Trying to Break the Mold
- Author
-
Tommaso Lupia, Giorgia Montrucchio, Alberto Gaviraghi, Gaia Musso, Mattia Puppo, Cesare Bolla, Nour Shbaklo, Barbara Rizzello, Andrea Della Selva, Erika Concialdi, Francesca Rumbolo, Anna Maria Barbui, Luca Brazzi, Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa, and Silvia Corcione
- Subjects
COVID-19 ,Aspergillus ,COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis ,fungal infection ,pulmonary ,aspergillosis ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
The reported incidence of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) ranges between 2.4% and 35% in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and awareness in the medical community is rising. We performed a regional retrospective observational study including patients diagnosed with CAPA defined according to the Modified AspICU Dutch/Belgian Mycosis Study Group and CAPA–EECMM, from five different ICUs, admitted between March, 2020 and September, 2021. Forty-five patients were included. The median age was 64 (IQR 60–72), mostly (73%) males. At ICU admission, the median Charlson comorbidity index was 3 (2–5), and the simplified acute physiology score (SAPS)-II score was 42 (31–56). The main underlying diseases were hypertension (46%), diabetes (36%) and pulmonary diseases (15%). CAPA was diagnosed within a median of 17 days (IQR 10–21.75) after symptoms onset and 9 days (IQR 3–11) after ICU admission. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 58%, and at univariate analysis, it was significantly associated with older age (p = 0.009) and SAPS-II score at admission (p = 0.032). The use of immunomodulatory agents, p = 0.061; broad-spectrum antibiotics, p = 0.091; positive culture for Aspergillus on BAL, p = 0.065; and hypertension, p = 0.083, were near reaching statistical significance. None of them were confirmed in multivariate analysis. In critically ill COVID-19 patients, CAPA acquired clinical relevance in terms of incidence and reported mortality. However, the risk between underdiagnosis—in the absence of specific invasive investigations, and with a consequent possible increase in mortality—and over-diagnosis (case identification with galactomannan on broncho-alveolar fluid alone) might be considered. Realistic incidence rates, based on local, real-life epidemiological data, might be helpful in guiding clinicians.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF