State of medical mycology at german academic medical centers: A Survey of the German-Speaking Mycological Society (DMYKG) and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy (PEG).

Groll, Andreas H; Gordon, Kathrin; Buchheidt, Dieter; Willinger, Birgit; Heinz, Werner J; Kurzai, Oliver; Rickerts, Volker; Cornely, Oliver A

BACKGROUND Little is known about the infrastructure to translate advances in the manage-ment of patients at risk to develop invasive opportunistic fungal diseases. To assess the current state of Medical Mycology support in Germany, we conducted a survey among all 36 academic medical centers. METHODS The survey consisted of a 3-pages questionnaire sent out in the first half of 2019. Information included details of infrastructure, education and teaching; consultation services and interdisciplinary conferences; research activities and participation in network groups; radiology, microbiology and pharmacology support; publication activity; and European Confederation for Medical Mycology (ECMM) Excellence Center designation, if assigned. RESULTS Information was returned from 24 centers (67%). Thirteen institutions (54%) reported an independent Infectious Disease, and two a separate Medical Mycology department (8%); a Medical Mycology working group was reported for nine institutions (38%). An Infectious Disease consultation service was existent in 16 institutions (67%) and a multidisciplinary conference in 13 (54%). Fifteen institutions reported a separate study office with activities in Infectious Disease studies (63%). Laboratory capability for fungal identification and susceptibility testing was confirmed by all 24 institutions; testing of galactomannan by 23 (96%), cryptococcal antigen by 21 (88%), ß-D-Glucan by 9 (38%), and pan-fungal and Pneumocystis PCR by 21 and 22 (88 and 92%), respectively. Therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole was reported to be available in 15 (63%) institutions with a turn-around of ≤24 hours during weekdays in 10 (42%). Two of the 24 University hospitals (8%) reported ECMM Diamond Excellence Status. CONCLUSIONS The results of this survey document the continuing need to improve the availability of specialized Medical Mycology support in German academic medical centers.