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 |
COVID-19, Invasive, Fungal Infection
CAC | COVID-19-Associated Candidiasis |
CAPA | COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis |
ICUs | Intensive Care Units |
IFIs | Invasive Fungal Infections |
IPA | Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis |
PCP | Pneumocystis Pneumonia |
ROCM | Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis |
ROM | Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis |
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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
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
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
@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} }
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 -