Characterization of Fungal Infections in COVID-19 Infected and Mechanically Ventilated Patients in ICU

Currently, ICU patients with ARDS, whatever the etiology, are not systematically screened for the detection of respiratory fungal infections.

Here, the protocol will be in two steps:

First step

COVID-19 patients hospitalized in ICU for ARDS will benefit for a systematic screening with a fungal respiratory syndromic panel once or twice a week from entry to discharge from ICU, with minimum 3 samples when discharge occurs after 15 days::

• Sample: tracheal aspiration, bronchial aspiration, BAL
• Fungal respiratory panel: samples will be processed in each lab for culture without direct examination nor stained smears, and real-time PCR will be performed for Aspergillus, Pneumocystis jirovecii and mucormycetes
• Results will be given to ICU in order to optimize the management of the patient Second step