Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection

Negeri Debela; Solome Nekahiwot

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13

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Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection

Negeri Debela^*

, Solome Nekahiwot

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 12, Issue 4)

Received: 28 June 2024 Accepted: 16 July 2024 Published: 27 August 2024

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Abstract

While COVID-19 primarily attacks the lungs, its reach can extend to various organs. Patients battling severe cases, especially those in intensive care, face a heightened risk of secondary infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and even other viruses. This vulnerability stems from a weakened immune system due to the initial infection, extended hospital stays, and the use of medications that suppress the immune response. Fungal infections pose a significant threat, with aspergillosis, candidiasis, mucormycosis, Cryptococcus, pneumocystis, and even regional fungal strains being identified in COVID-19 patients. Weakened immunity and underlying lung issues make these patients particularly susceptible to aspergillosis. Prolonged hospitalization, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and a compromised immune system increase the risk of Candida infections. Additionally, diabetics receiving corticosteroids are more likely to develop mucormycosis. Diagnosing fungal infections in COVID-19 patients is challenging because symptoms often mimic those of the initial COVID-19 infection. However, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Doctors often rely on a combination of tests, including traditional microbiology, advanced molecular techniques, and tissue examination (histopathology). Improved monitoring of fungal infections, optimized treatment protocols, and the development of new antifungal therapies are all critical weapons in the fight against this global pandemic.

Published in	European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 12, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13
Page(s)	103-110
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

COVID-19, Invasive, Fungal Infection

References

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Debela, N., Nekahiwot, S. (2024). Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12(4), 103-110. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13

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Debela, N.; Nekahiwot, S. Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2024, 12(4), 103-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13

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Debela N, Nekahiwot S. Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Eur J Prev Med. 2024;12(4):103-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13,
  author = {Negeri Debela and Solome Nekahiwot},
  title = {Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection
},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {12},
  number = {4},
  pages = {103-110},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20241204.13},
  abstract = {While COVID-19 primarily attacks the lungs, its reach can extend to various organs. Patients battling severe cases, especially those in intensive care, face a heightened risk of secondary infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and even other viruses. This vulnerability stems from a weakened immune system due to the initial infection, extended hospital stays, and the use of medications that suppress the immune response. Fungal infections pose a significant threat, with aspergillosis, candidiasis, mucormycosis, Cryptococcus, pneumocystis, and even regional fungal strains being identified in COVID-19 patients. Weakened immunity and underlying lung issues make these patients particularly susceptible to aspergillosis. Prolonged hospitalization, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and a compromised immune system increase the risk of Candida infections. Additionally, diabetics receiving corticosteroids are more likely to develop mucormycosis. Diagnosing fungal infections in COVID-19 patients is challenging because symptoms often mimic those of the initial COVID-19 infection. However, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Doctors often rely on a combination of tests, including traditional microbiology, advanced molecular techniques, and tissue examination (histopathology). Improved monitoring of fungal infections, optimized treatment protocols, and the development of new antifungal therapies are all critical weapons in the fight against this global pandemic.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection

AU - Negeri Debela
AU - Solome Nekahiwot
Y1 - 2024/08/27
PY - 2024
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13
DO - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13
T2 - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP - 103
EP - 110
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2330-8230
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13
AB - While COVID-19 primarily attacks the lungs, its reach can extend to various organs. Patients battling severe cases, especially those in intensive care, face a heightened risk of secondary infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and even other viruses. This vulnerability stems from a weakened immune system due to the initial infection, extended hospital stays, and the use of medications that suppress the immune response. Fungal infections pose a significant threat, with aspergillosis, candidiasis, mucormycosis, Cryptococcus, pneumocystis, and even regional fungal strains being identified in COVID-19 patients. Weakened immunity and underlying lung issues make these patients particularly susceptible to aspergillosis. Prolonged hospitalization, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and a compromised immune system increase the risk of Candida infections. Additionally, diabetics receiving corticosteroids are more likely to develop mucormycosis. Diagnosing fungal infections in COVID-19 patients is challenging because symptoms often mimic those of the initial COVID-19 infection. However, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Doctors often rely on a combination of tests, including traditional microbiology, advanced molecular techniques, and tissue examination (histopathology). Improved monitoring of fungal infections, optimized treatment protocols, and the development of new antifungal therapies are all critical weapons in the fight against this global pandemic.

VL - 12
IS - 4
ER -

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Negeri Debela

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-4536-4836
Solome Nekahiwot

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Debela, N., Nekahiwot, S. (2024). Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12(4), 103-110. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13

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ACS Style

Debela, N.; Nekahiwot, S. Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2024, 12(4), 103-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13

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AMA Style

Debela N, Nekahiwot S. Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Eur J Prev Med. 2024;12(4):103-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13,
  author = {Negeri Debela and Solome Nekahiwot},
  title = {Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection
},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {12},
  number = {4},
  pages = {103-110},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20241204.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20241204.13},
  abstract = {While COVID-19 primarily attacks the lungs, its reach can extend to various organs. Patients battling severe cases, especially those in intensive care, face a heightened risk of secondary infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and even other viruses. This vulnerability stems from a weakened immune system due to the initial infection, extended hospital stays, and the use of medications that suppress the immune response. Fungal infections pose a significant threat, with aspergillosis, candidiasis, mucormycosis, Cryptococcus, pneumocystis, and even regional fungal strains being identified in COVID-19 patients. Weakened immunity and underlying lung issues make these patients particularly susceptible to aspergillosis. Prolonged hospitalization, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and a compromised immune system increase the risk of Candida infections. Additionally, diabetics receiving corticosteroids are more likely to develop mucormycosis. Diagnosing fungal infections in COVID-19 patients is challenging because symptoms often mimic those of the initial COVID-19 infection. However, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Doctors often rely on a combination of tests, including traditional microbiology, advanced molecular techniques, and tissue examination (histopathology). Improved monitoring of fungal infections, optimized treatment protocols, and the development of new antifungal therapies are all critical weapons in the fight against this global pandemic.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - Invasive Fungal Disease Associated with COVID-19 Infection

VL - 12
IS - 4
ER -

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