This site contains promotional information intended only for healthcare professionals resident in the United Kingdom
Menu
Close
Example of description text sitting alongside header
Example of description text sitting alongside header
Menu
Close
Example of description text sitting alongside header
Example of description text sitting alongside header
Menu
Close
Adverse event reporting can be found at the bottom of the page
Menu
Close
Invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients
Invasive fungal infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Information on how to access prescribing information and adverse event reporting can be found towards the bottom of the page.
Invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis represent a serious additional threat to COVID-19 patients who develop ARDS or are admitted to the ICU.1–5 Cases of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) are increasingly being reported, with an overall prevalence among ICU patients of 11.1% and 1.6%, respectively.6,7
Text goes here.The overall incidence of CAPA among ICU patients was shown to be 11.1% across 39 observational studies, but varied widely from 0.7-34.4%6
The overall incidence of CAPA among ICU patients was shown to be 11.1% across 39 observational studies, but varied widely from 0.7–34.4%6
Overall mortality is approximately 50%6,8
Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in COVID-19 patients is usually late
(>7-14 days) after ICU admission9-11
Less than 10% of patients who develop CAPA are immunocompromised10
While prolonged corticosteroid treatment preceding COVID-19 could increase the risk of CAPA, the effect of short course treatment on CAPA incidence is still uncertain10
Positive serum galactomannan is found in <10% cases (cut off optical density varied across studies, the use of which has not been validated)10–15
Risk factors include severe lung damage during the course of COVID-19, age, extensive use of corticosteroids or tocilizumab, or broad-spectrum antibiotics and the presence of comorbidities such as structural lung defects.8,16,17
1.6% of ICU COVID-19 patients develop mucormycosis7
Overall mortality is approximately 50%18
Median time to diagnosis of CAM is 18 days after COVID-19 diagnosis7
Diabetes mellitus is the most frequent risk factor, as well as trauma, haematological malignancy, prolonged neutropenia and stem cell transplantation or SOT, immunosuppressive therapies and extensive corticosteroid use7,18–22
Some potential risk factors predisposing COVID-19 patients to secondary invasive fungal infections have been identified:7,8,16,19,20,22
Effective management of CAPA and CAM requires prompt diagnosis, treatment of underlying diseases, and aggressive medical intervention1,23–25. However, clinical and radiological signs of CAPA and CAM can overlap – and there have been cases of mixed infections – which may complicate the diagnosis.5,26,27
While there are several approved treatments for invasive aspergillosis and a few for mucormycosis, an individualised assessment should be considered for every patient, taking into account differences in coverage, tolerability, drug interaction profile, and PK.28–31
CRESEMBA® (isavuconazole) is recommended by the ECMM as an option for the treatment of CAPA and CAM32,33
CRESEMBA® is indicated in adults for the treatment of:28
Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antifungal agents.
Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for more details.
Find out futher information about how invasive fungal infections can affect patients with influenza
Get quick access to further information on CRESEMBA®
ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; CAM, COVID-19-associated mucormycosis; CAPA, COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; ECMM, European Confederation of Medical Mycology; HSCT, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation; ICU, intensive care unit; PK, pharmacokinetics; SOT, solid organ transplantation.
Prescribing Information
Click here for CRESEMBA® (isavuconazole) and Vfend (voriconazole) prescribing information
References:
Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search
for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store
Adverse events should also be reported to Pfizer Medical Information on 01304 616161
To access further materials, resources and receive communication about medicines and vaccines promoted by Pfizer.
This site is intended only for healthcare professionals resident in the United Kingdom. If you are a member of the public wishing to access information on a specific medicine, please visit www.medicines.org.uk/emc
This website is brought to you by Pfizer Limited, a company registered in England
and Wales under No. 526209 with its registered office at Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9NJ
Copyright © 2023 Pfizer Limited. All rights reserved.
VAT registration number GB201048427
These pages are not intended for patients or for members of the general public. The healthcare professional web pages contain promotional content.
I confirm that I am a healthcare professional* resident in the United Kingdom.
If you select 'No', you will be redirected to Pfizer.co.uk where you will be able to access reference information on Pfizer's prescription medicines.
*The ABPI Code definition for healthcare professional is members of the medical, dental, pharmacy and nursing professionals and any other persons who in the course of their professional activities may administer, prescribe, purchase, recommend or supply a medicine.
PP-PFE-GBR-3863. November 2021