Fungal Infections During and After the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Retrospective Comparison

• Conditions: Fungal Infections
• Interventions: Diagnostic Test: Culture, İsolation

• Registration Number: NCT06483815
• Lead Sponsor: Bekir Sami Uyanık

Brief Summary

his study aims to retrospectively compare fungal positivity rates between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the post-pandemic periods. During the pandemic, Candida species had a positivity rate of 17.36%, and Aspergillus had a rate of 2.22%. Post-pandemic, these rates decreased to 9.29% and 1.00%, respectively. The overall fungal positivity rate decreased from 9.15% during the pandemic to 5.13% post-pandemic. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in fungal positivity rates post-pandemic (p \< 0.01). These findings underscore the effectiveness of post-pandemic healthcare interventions and infection control strategies.

Detailed Description

The study aims to retrospectively compare fungal positivity rates by focusing on Candida and Aspergillus species during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and in the post-pandemic period. The dataset includes samples collected during the pandemic period (N=623) and the subsequent post-pandemic period (N=818). Fungal positivity rates were calculated and statistically analyzed using chi-square tests, and significance was determined as p\<0.01.

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Candida species showed a positivity rate of 17.36%, while the rate in the post-pandemic period significantly decreased to 9.29% (p=0.002). In contrast, Aspergillus species did not show a significant change in positivity rates between the pandemic (2.22%) and post-pandemic (1.00%) periods (p=0.186, NS).

Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of fungal infections during and after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, suggesting possible shifts in fungal pathogen prevalence and healthcare priorities. The findings contribute to the development of targeted healthcare strategies and surveillance measures for fungal infections in the post-pandemic era.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative analysis

Data Analysis: Chi-square tests, p\<0.01 considered significant

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-06-01
• Study First Submitted: 2024-06-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-06-29
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-02
• Study First Posted: 2024-07-03
• Last Update Posted: 2024-07-05
• Primary Completion: 2024-07-20
• Study Completion: 2024-07-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1441

Inclusion Criteria

Patients over 18 years of age of both genders

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients under 18 years of age,
• Patients whose demographic, clinical and laboratory data investigated in the study could not be accessed, patients who were diagnosed with fungal infection during hospitalization

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
The percentages of fungus positivity in the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and SARS CoV-2 post-pandemic period	Culture, İsolation	The study was conducted retrospectively, analyzing a total of 1441 patients. Among these, 623 were during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and 818 were in the post-pandemic period. Fungal positivity rates were calculated separately for different fungal agents including Candida species and Aspergillus. These rates were presented as percentages and statistically compared between the two periods.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fungal positivity rates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period and post-pandemic period	2020-2024	Fungal infection data from samples of patients, 623 of whom were during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and 818 of whom were in the post-epidemic period, were retrospectively examined. Fungal positivity rates for different fungal agents such as Candida species and Aspergillus were calculated separately and compared statistically.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hisar Hospital Intercontinental; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey