Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis in Intensive Care Unit Patients

AbstractPurpose of ReviewInvasive aspergillosis is a frequent opportunistic infection in the intensive care unit. Diagnostic strategies within this setting are not well-defined.Recent FindingsIn the absence of histopathological proof, estimation of likelihood of disease is required, based on a combination of host factors with clinical, microbiological and radiologic findings. Importantly, the at-risk critically ill population has expanded beyond the classical immunosuppressed patients. Clinical features are non-specific, yet overt organ failure is associated with an increased risk and should raise the suspicion of invasive fungal disease. Validation of serological and molecular diagnostics is complicated by the lack of universal definitions in critically ill patients.SummaryImproved awareness of novel risk groups can promote early diagnosis. Development of novel, host immune response driven biomarkers and universal definitions of invasive fungal disease in intensive care units is urgently needed.
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research