The increase in Aspergillus infections during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 261 - 265, 21.03.2025

Zeynel Öztürk , Nuray Bayar Muluk , Oğuzhan Oğuz , Mustafa Yazır , İmran Özdemir , Cemal Cingi

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the correlation between Aspergillus infections and the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature review used PubMed, EBSCO, Proquest Central at Kırıkkale University, Google, and Google Scholar. Between 2024 and 1980, the keywords “Aspergillus," “aspergillosis,” “invasive pulmonary aspergillosis,” “IPA,” “COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis,” “CAPA,” and “COVID-19” were searched. An association between COVID-19 pneumonia and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), a complication seen in patients with severe respiratory syndromes, has been recently demonstrated, and the clinical features of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) have been detailed. Due to diagnostic delays and the quick deterioration of respiratory diseases, infections caused by the Aspergillus genus are frequently recognized after the fact, which is a sad reality. From direct angioinvasion to hypersensitivity reactions, Aspergillus may inflict various human diseases. Invasive Aspergillus infections are sporadic in immunocompetent people and nearly always affect those immunosuppressed due to lung illness, immunosuppressive medication, or immunodeficiency. Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) was found in most COVID-19 patients, and CAPA was also detected in several of these individuals. Also, patients with severe respiratory illnesses, like influenza and MERS-CoV, have been found to have multiple instances of IPA as super-infections. The function of antifungal prophylaxis in CAPA is unknown even though A. fumigatus was detected before the start of CAPA. On the other hand, voriconazole medication may be effective if begun right after.

Keywords

Aspergillus, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis, COVID-19, Aspergillus fumigatus

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