Sara Guenter

Dr. Sara Guenter


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 March 2020 in Journal of Fungi
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SGSara Guenter
Sara Guenter
GGGregor Gorkiewicz
Gregor Gorkiewicz
BHBettina Halwachs
Bettina Halwachs
KKKarl Kashofer
Karl Kashofer
ATAndrea Thueringer
Andrea Thueringer
Robert KrauseRobert Krause
Robert Krause
Molecular techniques including the sequencing of fungal-specific DNA targets are increasingly used in the diagnosis of suspected invasive fungal infections. In contrast to established biomarkers like galactomannan or 1-3-β-d-glucan, the clinical impact of these methods remains unknown. We retrospectively investigated the impact of ITS1-sequencing on antifungal treatment strategies in 71 patients (81 samples) with suspected invasive fungal infections. ITS-sequencing either confirmed already ongoing antifungal therapy (19/71 patients, 27%), led to a change in antifungal therapy (11/71, 15%) or supported the decision to withhold antifungal treatment (34/71, 48%) (in seven of 71 patients, ITS-sequencing results were obtained postmortem). ITS-sequencing results led to a change in antifungal therapy in a relevant proportion of patients, while it confirmed therapeutic strategies in the majority. Therefore, ITS-sequencing was a useful adjunct to other fungal diagnostic measures in our cohort.