Mind the Gap: A Nationwide Survey on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Capacity for Invasive Fungal Infections in Chile
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Invasive fungal infections are an important global public health problem, causing morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Outcomes depend on timely diagnosis, laboratory capacity, and access to effective antifungal therapy. However, national data describing these resources in Chile remain limited. We aimed to characterize gaps in mycological diagnostic and therapeutic access. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey of physicians, pharmacists, and laboratory professionals representing Chilean hospitals. Multiple responses from the same institution were consolidated. A 15-item diagnostic and therapeutic access score was developed to assess differences between hospitals. Results: 35 hospitals participated. Diagnostic infrastructure varied substantially across institutions. Although all hospitals reported access to direct mycological examination, 65.7% had MALDI-TOF MS and 51.4% had molecular identification methods. The access score differed significantly according to hospital size, with median scores of 53.3% (20.0–80.0), 66.7% (46.7–86.7), and 73.3% (60.0–86.7) in hospitals with 0–300, 301–499, and ≥500 beds, respectively (p=0.003). Conclusions: This nationwide assessment identified size-dependent inequities in mycological capacity in Chile. Larger hospitals had greater diagnostic and therapeutic access, supporting targeted national strategies to strengthen smaller institutions and ensure equitable care.
Source: Journal of Fungi
DOI: 10.3390/jof12100772
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7204046130