Immunocompromised individuals face a heightened risk of life-threatening fungal infections, which arise from a multitude of environmental and commensal fungi. Surveillance data from ICUs worldwide identifies Candida spp. as the dominant foe, responsible for 80% of such infections, earning it the dubious distinction of being the third most prevalent pathogen. While C. albicans holds the dubious crown as the most common Candida offender, recent years have witnessed a concerning trend toward non-Albicans candida, raising concerns about potential antifungal resistance.
All adult patients (aged >18 years old) admitted to the Assiut University Hospital's intensive care units with pneumonia and hospitalized patients who developed hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia who don't respond to antibiotics for 48 hours or with a CT finding suspected for fungal pneumonia.
Pre-existing lung disease: IPF, COPD, or sarcoidosis.
Immunosuppression: Neutropenia, on corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs, inherited or acquired immunodeficiency.
Underlying comorbidities: (Diabetes Mellitus,Chronic kidney disease, Liver cirrhosis)
Patients refused to contribute to the study.
Unsatisfactory sample.