Ongoing, funded projects

Candidemia 2004-2013 (main PI Oscar Marchetti)

This prospective survey of candidemia was conducted in 5 University and 20 University-affiliated hospitals. The three-year collection of patient-related data (569 patients) was performed during 2004-2006. The ten-year collection of annual hospital and microbiology laboratory data combined with the collection of Candida bloodstream isolates (2'102 strains) was performed during 2004-2013.

Data were collected by the study Coordination at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV/UNIL) for centralized management and analysis. Bloodstream isolates were centralized in the FUNGINOS mycological Reference laboratory at the Institute of Microbiology, CHUV/UNIL.

The aim of the study is to analyse clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological characteristics and trends of candidemia in Switzerland.

Ongoing nested projects are:

  • Analysis of distribution of azole MICs over 10 years (Reinhard Zbinden, Frédéric Lamoth)
  • Mechanisms of azole resistance in C. glabrata candidemia (Dominique Sanglard)

Breakthrough IMI (main PI Frédéric Lamoth)

Isavuconazole PK/PD (main PI Frédéric Lamoth)

Antibody response to KEX1 and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with hematologic cancers (main PI Pierre-Yves Bochud)

Epidemiology and outcome of fungemia in Switzerland 2019–2022 (main PI Nina Khanna)

Candida species are the leading cause of nosocomial fungal infections, with candidemia linked to high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. A Swiss survey by FUNGINOS (2004-2018) found rising candidemia rates, especially with Candida glabrata, though risk factors for these infections remain unclear. Reported mortality rates for candidemia vary globally (20-50%), with one Swiss center reporting a 34% in-hospital mortality rate between 2014-2017. The study aims to examine recent trends in fungal bloodstream infections in Switzerland, focusing on incidence, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, and mortality, particularly for C. glabrata and non-Candida infections.

This retrospective observational study will use prospectively collected data from the five University hospitals and two large cantonal hospitals in Switzerland to evaluate incidence rates, susceptibility patterns, mortality, and risk factors across different patient groups.

Incidence of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections in patients with acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome receiving venetoclax and hypomethylating agents: a multi-center retrospective cohort study (main PI Nina Khanna)

Infectious complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy and hematopoietic cell transplantation. These patients, particularly during extended neutropenia, face high risks of bacterial, viral, and invasive fungal infections (IFI). Despite common antimicrobial prophylaxis, guidelines are broad and often not specific to the malignancy or treatment, leaving gaps in tailored infection prevention. The recent VEN-HMAs therapy, used for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), is associated with prolonged neutropenia and a continuous risk of infection, but infection data and clear prophylaxis guidelines are lacking.

This retrospective observational study including data from the five University hospitals and two large cantonal hospitals in Switzerland aims to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of infections in AML and MDS patients treated with VEN-HMAs, focusing on infection rates, mortality, and the influence of patient characteristics.

Funginos guidelines for the management of invasive aspergillosis in intensive care units

  • Epidemiology (main PI Werner Albrich)
  • Definitions (main PI Dionysios Neofytos)
  • Diagnosis (main PI Frédéric Lamoth)
  • Therapy (main PI Nina Khanna)