COVID-19-Associated Fungal Infections: An Urgent Need for Alternative Therapeutic Approach?

Marianna Domán; Krisztián Bányai

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.919501

COVID-19-Associated Fungal Infections: An Urgent Need for Alternative Therapeutic Approach?

Front Microbiol. 2022 Jun 9:13:919501. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.919501. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Marianna Domán¹, Krisztián Bányai^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary.
² Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.

Abstract

Secondary fungal infections may complicate the clinical course of patients affected by viral respiratory diseases, especially those admitted to intensive care unit. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are at increased risk of fungal co-infections exacerbating the prognosis of disease due to misdiagnosis that often result in treatment failure and high mortality rate. COVID-19-associated fungal infections caused by predominantly Aspergillus and Candida species, and fungi of the order Mucorales have been reported from several countries to become significant challenge for healthcare system. Early diagnosis and adequate antifungal therapy is essential to improve clinical outcomes, however, drug resistance shows a rising trend highlighting the need for alternative therapeutic agents. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on COVID-19-associated mycoses, treatment strategies and the most recent advancements in antifungal drug development focusing on peptides with antifungal activity.

Keywords: COVID-19-associated aspergillosis; COVID-19-associated mucormycosis; Candida auris; antimicrobial peptide; fungal co-infections.

Publication types

Review