Scientists decipher mechanism behind deadly fungal infection on top of flu or COVID-19

“We discovered that the immune system was affected in several areas in patients with severe flu or COVID-19 who developed this fungal infection,” says professor Joost Wauters, intensivist at UZ Leuven.

“For example, they had a weakened effect of the immune cells that are responsible for switching off fungal spores in the lungs in healthy people. The white blood cells that normally have to clear the fungal threads were also found not to function properly.”