Clinical trial NCT06483815: Fungal Infections During and After the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Retrospective Comparison
Official title: Comparative Retrospective Analysis of Fungal Positivity Rates During and Post-SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Periods
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Conditions: Fungal Infections
Keywords: fungal infections, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, post-pandemic
Lead sponsor: Hisar Intercontinental Hospital
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-07-03
Enrollment: 1441
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: OTHER
Time perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: Patients diagnosed with pneumonia according to clinical, laboratory and radiological data in the chest diseases, infectious diseases and intensive care unit of Hisar HIntercontinental Hospital

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

Eligibility criteria: 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

Primary outcomes:
measure: Fungal positivity rates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period and post-pandemic period
timeFrame: 2020-2024
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Hisar Hospital Intercontinental
Study officials:
affiliation: Hisar Hospital Responsible Manager
name: Ramazan Gözüküçük
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: