COVID - Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis - A Case Series

Dr Aanal S Desai, Dr Darshan J Kanani, Dr Yashvi Shah, Dr Siddharth Panchal, Dr Prerak Maniar

Abstract: Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a potential devastating disease with varying presentation from asymptomatic to critically ill patients. Patients are susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections due to low immunity and concurrent use of steroids. Aspergillosis is a life threatening fungal disease which can involve brain, lungs and other organs of the body causing life threatening illness. Methods and statistical test - Observational study Conclusion: Aspergillosis is a rare but fatal infection which can involve COVID-19 active cases as well as in recovered COVID-19 patients, especially those having uncontrolled diabetes and who were treated with large doses of corticosteroids which can involve brain, lungs, intestine and other organs.

Keywords: CAPA, aspergillosis, COVID-19, SARS COV-2, Aspergillus, novel coronavirus, superinfection, co-infection, risk factors, prevalence, challenges, immune response