ABSTRACT
An increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infection, which can lead to serious complications and death, has been detected in some patients who had Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections increase the risk of mortality in long-term hospitalized COVID-19 patients. C. auris has emerged as a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen iso-lated from healthcare-associated infections globally. Studies have reported an increase in C. auris isolation in COVID-19 patients who developed candidemia. They stated that C. auris is the most isolated Candida species in blood cultures since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, replacing other Candida species. In the studies included in this study, the mean incidance of C. auris was found to be as 22.7% (74/325) in COVID-19 patients with suspected fungal infection. The aim of our study is to evaluate the literature published so far in Turkiye and in the world regarding the coexistence of C. auris and COVID-19, which was reported as an "immediate threat" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, there is not enough information about the effect of C. auris coinfection on mortality and whether it is an indicator of the severity of COVID-19 infection. Well-designed and careful epidemiological studies are needed to define the true burden of invasive candidiasis in COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
An increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infection, which can lead to serious complications and death, has been detected in some patients who had Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections increase the risk of mortality in long-term hospitalized COVID-19 patients. C. auris has emerged as a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen isolated from healthcare-associated infections globally. Studies have reported an increase in C. auris isolation in COVID-19 patients who developed candidemia. They stated that C. auris is the most isolated Candida species in blood cultures since the beginning of the SARSCoV-2 pandemic, replacing other Candida species. In the studies included in this study, the mean incidance of C. auris was found to be as 22.7% (74/325) in COVID-19 patients with suspected fungal infection. The aim of our study is to evaluate the literature published so far in Turkiye and in the world regarding the coexistence of C. auris and COVID-19, which was reported as an "immediate threat" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, there is not enough information about the effect of C. auris coinfection on mortality and whether it is an indicator of the severity of COVID-19 infection. Well-designed and careful epidemiological studies are needed to define the true burden of invasive candidiasis in COVID-19 patients.Copyright © 2023 Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Accurate detection of the global epidemic-causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is for disease surveillance. Additionally, RT-qPCR has been accepted as a reference test and is widely used for this purpose. However, RT-qPCR applications are not possible in all health centers. Therefore, the tests commonly used in the diagnosis of infectious disease should be evaluated from all angles to assess their potential role in the prognosis and management of COVID-19 patients. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the diagnostic sensitivity of point of care (POC), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and computed tomography (CT) used in the diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted via searching in databases such as NCBI, Google Scholar, and Medline in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Results: The pooled sensitivity of POC, ELISA, and CT was estimated at 68.62%, 88.05%, and 75.43%, respectively. In addition, the mean correct positivity rate of POC, ELISA, and CT was calculated to be 68.61%, 88.04%, and 79.25%, respectively. The sensitivity and true positivity rate of ELISA was observed to be the highest. Conclusions: According to the results, ELISA is a more accurate approach to the diagnosis of COVID-19 compared to POC and CT owing to its high sensitivity and true positivity rate, low false negative rate, short processing time, and simple study procedure. Although helpful in diagnosis, confirmation of ELISA results by polymerase chain reaction remains the ‘gold standard’.