Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40650433›Full record

ArticleMycoses2025

ESCMID-EFISG Survey on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Capacity for Invasive Fungal Infections in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg: A Focus on High Azole Resistance.

Robina Aerts, Lize Cuypers, Eelco F J Meijer, Michel Kohnen, Jacques F Meis, Oliver A Cornely, Katrien Lagrou, Jon Salmanton-García

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Mycoses, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Robina AertsDepartment of Haematology, Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6337-6636
Lize CuypersKU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium.
Eelco F J MeijerDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)/Dicoon, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Michel KohnenNational Service of Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Jacques F MeisRadboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3253-6080
Oliver A CornelyInstitute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9599-3137
Katrien LagrouDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Jon Salmanton-GarcíaInstitute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6766-8297

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionInvasive fungal infections (IFI) are a major clinical challenge, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. With the increasing prevalence of immunosuppressive conditions and ageing populations, the incidence of IFI is rising globally.

objectiveThis survey aims to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic capacities for IFI in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Benelux), a region of high azole-resistance among Aspergillus fumigatus isolates.

methodsA survey evaluating the diagnostic and therapeutic capacity for IFI was conducted in the Benelux. Data were collected from specialists via an online case report form between March and September 2023. The survey addressed patient characteristics, access to microbiology labs, diagnostic methods (microscopy, culture, molecular diagnostics, etc.), IFI incidence, and the availability of antifungal drugs and therapeutic drug monitoring.

resultsIn total, 32 hospitals responded to the questionnaire (12 [38%] from the Netherlands, 19 [59%] from Belgium and one [3%] from Luxembourg). Antifungal susceptibility tests were available in 29 institutions (91%), constituting 84% of the centres in Belgium and 100% for the Netherlands (p = 0.265). Aspergillus PCR testing was available in 12 centres in Belgium (63%) while in 11 centres in the Netherlands (92%, p = 0.108). Mucorales PCR testing was available in 56% of centres. Treatment with at least one amphotericin B formulation was only available in 84% of the responding centres. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), although recommended, was possible for voriconazole in 26 centres (81%) while for posaconazole in 24 centres (75%). Significantly more testing (diagnostic tests and TDM) was outsourced in Belgium compared to the Netherlands (p < 0.001).

conclusionsAntifungal susceptibility testing is widely available in Belgium and the Netherlands, but implementation in areas with high azole resistance for Aspergillus fumigatus is not yet universal, and techniques vary. Tests for coinfections, like Mucorales PCR, were only available in half of the centres. More testing is outsourced in Belgium, likely due to differences in reference centre organisation, country size, transport, and reimbursement. Delays in diagnosis can impact patient outcomes, so awareness of test availability and transport times is crucial.

Indexed as

Antifungal AgentsAzolesDrug Resistance, FungalInvasive Fungal InfectionsAdultAgedAspergillus fumigatusBelgiumDrug MonitoringFemaleHumansIncidenceLuxembourgMaleMicrobial Sensitivity TestsMiddle AgedAntifungal AgentsAzolesantifungal resistanceaspergillus antigenazole‐resistanceinvasive aspergillosisinvasive fungal infectionslateral flow assayslateral flow devicesmycology

Identifiers

PMID40650433
PMCPMC12254878

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.