General internal medicine

Over 15 per cent of all critically ill patients who end up in intensive care with severe influenza or Covid-19 additionally develop aspergillosis, a pulmonary fungal infection. This doubles their mortality rate. A UZ Leuven and KU Leuven trial with international partners has revealed the underlying mechanism.

UZ Leuven, KU Leuven researchers and the VIB have examined the immune reaction in COVID-19 patients in the hospital. Analyses of the lung fluid showed new factors that play a role in the excessive immune reactions against the virus, which are crucial for the development of treatments.