Pan-Indian Clinical Registry of Invasive Fungal Infections Among Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Protocol for a Multicentric Prospective Study

Author: mycolabadmin
2/16/2024
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Summary

Fungal infections are a serious hidden threat in hospital intensive care units, particularly for patients with weakened immune systems. This study establishes India’s first comprehensive database system to track fungal infections across 8 major medical centers nationwide. By collecting detailed information about these infections and how they respond to treatments, the research aims to help doctors diagnose and treat fungal infections faster and more effectively. The findings will guide better clinical practices and public health policies to combat these often-neglected but deadly infections.

Background

Fungal infections pose a significant public health threat, particularly in immunocompromised patients in ICUs. Despite increasing prevalence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) over the past two decades, systematic data on disease burden and epidemiology remain unavailable in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research established 8 Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers (AMDRCs) to address diagnostic gaps and research needs in mycology.

Objective

The primary aim is to create a multicenter digital clinical registry to monitor trends of IFIs, emerging fungal diseases, and antifungal resistance patterns across India. The registry will capture clinical manifestations, diagnostic details, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and treatment outcomes to support evidence-based clinical decision-making and public health policies.

Results

As of the initial report, 531 cases of IFI, 29 cases of mycetoma, and 1 case of chromoblastomycosis have been enrolled. Data collection began in January 2023 across all 8 centers. AMDRCs have achieved 95-100% detection rates for fungal infections and reduced diagnostic time from months to weeks, improving patient outcomes through prompt treatment initiation.

Conclusion

This is the first systematic clinical registry of IFIs in India, addressing critical knowledge gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fungal diseases. The registry will improve understanding of IFI epidemiology, antifungal resistance patterns, and disease contribution to ICU mortality, ultimately informing evidence-based clinical practice and public health policies in India.

Published in:JMIR Research Protocols,
Study Type:Prospective Observational Registry/Protocol Study,
Source: PMID: 38363632, DOI: 10.2196/54672