Author:
Y Bahri*, S Ben.Belgacem, Y Maatouk, A Ben.Salah, M Mastouri
Author address:
Parasitology-Mycology laboratory, Fattouma Bourguiba university hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
Full conference title:
10th Advances Against Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis
Date: 2 February 2022
Abstract:
Introduction and Purpose:
Epidemiological aspects of aspergillosis are in perpetual changing. They are typically caused by Aspergillusfumigatus, followed by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillusnidulans and Aspergillus niger. However non-fumigatus species are now increasingly reported as common etiologic agents, depending on the organ involved, risk factors and the countries. Identification of species is crucial because of variations in the antifungal susceptibility profiles. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to present the current trends in the epidemiology of Aspergillus spp.
Methods:
This is a retrospective study over a 5 year period from January 2016 to March 2021 of all strains of Aspergillus isolated from samples sent to the Mycology Laboratory of Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir, Tunisia. The mycological diagnosis was based on direct microscopy of specimens and species identification by culture on Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol and Malt mediums.
Results:
Over the 5 years of the study 134 Aspergillus strains were isolated collected from 110 patients. The mean age of these patients was 50 years (ranged from 2 to 89 years). Females were predominant (58.2%) with a sex ratio of 0.7. The Aspergillus strains were isolated from the external auditory canal (83%), respiratory tract (9%). The majority of isolates were collected in winter (30.6%) and summer (28.4%). The direct microscopy was positive for 71.7%. It showed only mycelial filaments for 47%, of specimens, yeasts and mycelial filaments for 8.2% of specimens, only yeasts for 6.7% and Aspergillus heads for 1.5% of specimens. A combination of two Aspergillus species was identified in 4 patients (2.9%). Association of Aspergillus and Candida were found in 21.6% of cases. The most frequently isolated species were Aspergillusflavus (42.5%) and Aspergillusniger (39.5%) followed by Aspergillusterreus (3%) and Aspergillusfumigatus (2.2%). The species could not be identified in 9% of the cases. During the study period, 15 patients presented relapses, 80% of whom were infected with the same Aspergillus species. In these patients, the mean time to relapse was two and a half months.
Conclusion:
In contrast to developed countries where Aspergillusfumigatus causes the majority of aspergillosis cases, Aspergillusflavus and Aspergillusniger are the most common species found in the region of Monastir isolated mainly from ear samples. Further epidemiological studies on aspergillosis are recommended to confirm the significance of these findings.
Abstract Number: 21
Conference Year: 2022
Link to conference website: https://aaam2022.org/
URL Conference abstract: