ABSTRACT
Fungal co-infections of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are generally infrequent, but are more common among patients with hematological diseases or severe cases in the intensive care unit (ICU). As fungal infections often carry a high mortality rate, preventing their development is considered important for patients with COVID-19. Caspofungin covers Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. as causative pathogens of fungal infections associated with COVID-19, and is known to have few side effects among antifungal drugs. Recent studies have shown that caspofungin is expected to inhibit the growth of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In addition, the inhibitory effects of caspofungin on spleen tyrosine kinase-related intracellular signaling are anticipated to suppress the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and immune thrombosis, which are problems in severe COVID-19. Early use of caspofungin in patients with COVID-19 with hematological diseases or in the ICU may help prevent fungal infections and reduce severe cases in COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 rapid antigen detection (RAD) test kits are widely used as primary screening test in Japan because rapid diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is critical for infection control. We report cases with RAD test false-positive results in a ward for patients with disabilities. RAD tests potentially evoke hospital operational risk. It is desirable that performing PCR test appropriately when patients admitted to a medical treatment ward with COVID-19 symptoms instead of RAD test.