Is the COVID-19 Pandemic a Good Time to Include Aspergillus Molecular Detection to Categorize Aspergillosis in ICU Patients? A Monocentric Experience

Abstract

(1) Background: The diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in an intensive care unit (ICU)remains a challenge and the COVID-19 epidemic makes it even harder. Here, we evaluatedAspergillus PCR input to help classifying IA in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. (2) Methods: 45COVID-19 patients were prospectively monitored twice weekly for Aspergillus markers and anti-Aspergillus serology. We evaluated the concordance between (Ι) Aspergillus PCR and culture inrespiratory samples, and (ΙΙ) blood PCR and serum galactomannan. Patients were classified asputative/proven/colonized using AspICU algorithm and two other methods. (3) Results: Theconcordance of techniques applied on respiratory and blood samples was moderate (kappa = 0.58and kappa = 0.63, respectively), with a higher sensitivity of PCR. According to AspICU, 9/45 patientswere classified as putative IA. When incorporating PCR results, 15 were putative IA because theymet all criteria, probably with a lack of specificity in the context of COVID-19. Using a modifiedAspICU algorithm, eight patients were classified as colonized and seven as putative IA. (4)Conclusion: An appreciation of the fungal burden using PCR and Aspergillus serology was addedto propose a modified AspICU algorithm. This proof of concept seemed relevant, as it was inagreement with the outcome of patients, but will need validation in larger cohorts.