Immune parameters for diagnosis and treatment monitoring in invasive mold infection

Jeffrey D. Jenks, Stephen A. Rawlings, Carol Garcia-Vidal, Philipp Koehler, Toine Mercier, Juergen Prattes, Cornelia Lass-Flörl, M Teresa Martin-Gomez, Dieter Buchheidt, Livio Pagano, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Frank L. Van De Veerdonk, Mihai G. Netea, Agostinho Carvalho, Martin Hoenigl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Infections caused by invasive molds, including Aspergillus spp., can be difficult to diagnose and remain associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thus, early diagnosis and targeted systemic antifungal treatment remains the most important predictive factor for a successful outcome in immunocompromised individuals with invasive mold infections. Diagnosis remains difficult due to low sensitivities of diagnostic tests including culture and other mycological tests for mold pathogens, particularly in patients on mold-active antifungal prophylaxis. As a result, antifungal treatment is rarely targeted and reliable markers for treatment monitoring and outcome prediction are missing. Thus, there is a need for improved markers to diagnose invasive mold infections, monitor response to treatment, and assist in determining when antifungal therapy should be escalated, switched, or can be stopped. This review focuses on the role of immunologic markers and specifically cytokines in diagnosis and treatment monitoring of invasive mold infections.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)116-122
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Fungi
Volume5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Aspergillus
  • Immune response
  • Interleukin 10
  • Interleukin 6
  • Interleukin 8
  • Invasive aspergillosis
  • Invasive mold infections
  • Mold-reactive T-cells
  • Mucormycosis
  • Prognosis

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