Liver Cirrhosis Patients With Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis: in Depth Understanding Clinical Host Risk Factors (LIVERIPA)

Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Fungal Infection; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis; Viral Pneumonia; Liver Cirrhosis; Intensive Care Medicine

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT07238114

S68965

IN-BE-131-7804 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening fungal infection of the respiratory system, caused by a specific fungus called Aspergillus species. It is already known that patients with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of developing this disease. Recently, it has also been shown that patients with viral pneumonia (such as influenza or COVID-19) and patients with liver cirrhosis who are admitted to the intensive care unit are also vulnerable to this infection.

This study aims to better define the epidemiology, clinical risk factors, outcomes, and treatment of IPA in ACLF patients admitted to the ICU. By combining clinical data with histological findings from autopsies, the study seeks to improve diagnostic accuracy, risk prediction, and timely initiation of antifungal therapy.

Enrollment: 450 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• All adults (≥ 18 years old)
• Acute-on-Chronic liver failure
• Respiratory distress
• Admission to the Medical Intensive Care Unit of University Hospitals of Leuven

Exclusion criteria

• Patients < 18 years
• Respiratory distress not being the primary reason for ICU admission
• Patients with influenza or COVID-19
• Recent history of invasive pulmonary aspergilosis and/or invasive candidiasis (<1 month before ICU admission) and/or active treatment for IPA and/or invasive candidiasis

Trial design

450 participants in 2 patient groups

ICU patients with liver cirrhosis and IPA

Description:

The study population includes patients with confirmed or suspected liver cirrhosis who were admitted to the Medical ICU of UZ Leuven. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening fungal infection, historically seen in severely immunocompromised patients. In recent years, it has also been increasingly recognized in ICU patients without classic immunosuppression, including those with viral pneumonia (e.g., influenza, COVID-19) and those with liver cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

ICU patient with liver cirrhosis without IPA

Description:

The study population consists of patients with known or suspected liver cirrhosis who were admitted to the Medical ICU of UZ Leuven.