Is the Frequency of Candidemia Increasing in COVID-19 Patients Receiving Corticosteroids?
Cezar Vinícius Würdig Riche, Renato Cassol, Alessandro C. Pasqualotto
Abstract
Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Recently, these medications have gained importance in the treatment of severe COVID-19. Here we present data demonstrating a marked (10-fold) increase in frequency of candidemia in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 receiving corticosteroids in Brazil. Overall mortality was 72.7%, despite antifungal therapy. Physicians should be aware of the potential risk for candidemia among severely ill COVID-19 patients receiving high-doses of corticosteroids.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)AntifungalIntensive care medicineInternal medicineDermatologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment