A hospital-based retrospective study of hospitalizations with hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis in the United States.

Abstract

Hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis are mold infections associated with high mortality rates and diverse clinical presentations, but the epidemiology and outcomes are not well-understood in the United States. We examined hospitalizations associated with their causative fungi to inform potential public health and clinical interventions. We identified hospitalizations with positive cultures for molds causing hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis using the 2019-2023 Premier Healthcare Database, selecting those in which the patient received at least one dose of a systemic antifungal medication. We identified 185 hospitalizations associated with <i>Fusarium</i> spp, 75 with <i>Scedosporium</i> spp, 139 with other fungi causing hyalohyphomycosis, and 196 with molds causing phaeohyphomycosis. The median days from culture collection to positive result ranged from 8 for <i>Fusarium</i> spp to 20 for agents of phaeohyphomycosis. Among all hyalohyphomycosis- and phaeohyphomycosis-associated hospitalizations, fluconazole was used in 37%-50% and echinocandins in 37%-41%. Mortality rates ranged from 27% to 32%. Hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis were associated with substantial mortality. Culture-based diagnosis often takes weeks for growth and identification of the causative organism, often leading to inappropriate antifungal treatment while awaiting specific results. Innovation in non-culture-based diagnostics could help improve patient outcomes. No funding.