Observational study on Aspergillus infections in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 at a single medical center using sputum samples

Rui-ming Xu; Xiao-li Yuan; Qing-qing Ge; Yan-yun He; Qiu-mei Cao

doi:10.3855/jidc.20072

Observational study on Aspergillus infections in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 at a single medical center using sputum samples

Authors

Rui-ming Xu Department of Emergency, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 100176
Xiao-li Yuan Department of Emergency, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 100176
Qing-qing Ge Department of Emergency, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 100176
Yan-yun He Department of General Practice, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 100176
Qiu-mei Cao Department of Emergency, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 100176

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.20072

Keywords:

Aspergillus infection, COVID-19, diabetes mellitus, steroid, survival time, total hospitalization cost

Abstract

Objective: To explore Aspergillus infection’s risks, treatment, and prognostic factors in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Methodology: Retrospective analysis of 50 critically ill COVID-19 patients' data. Patients were divided into Aspergillus infection group (10 cases) and non-Aspergillus infection group (40 cases) to examine risk factors and compare hospitalization length, expenses, and survival outcomes.

Results: Logistic regression showed a significant correlation between Aspergillus infection and diabetes history, and steroid use duration in COVID-19 patients. Diabetes increased Aspergillus infection risk 9.708 times (not statistically significant). Each extra steroid use day raised infection risk by 25.6%. The Aspergillus infection group had longer hospital stays, and higher costs (p < 0.05) but surprisingly higher survival rate than the non-infection group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The main risk factor for Aspergillus infection in critically ill COVID-19 patients is steroid use duration. The infection group had longer hospital stays and higher costs, and Aspergillus infection affected the survival duration of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

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Published

2025-05-31

How to Cite

Xu R- ming, Yuan X- li, Ge Q- qing, He Y- yun, Cao Q- mei (2025) Observational study on Aspergillus infections in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 at a single medical center using sputum samples. J Infect Dev Ctries 19:677–682. doi: 10.3855/jidc.20072

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Issue

Vol. 19 No. 05: May 2025

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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