LAUSR

The ability of medical centres in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe to diagnose and treat fungal infections remains unknown. In order to investigate that, here we conducted a cross-sectional online survey, released at both The International Society for Human & Animal Mycology (ISHAM) and European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) websites. A total of 31 institutions responded to the questionnaire. Most centres (87.1%, n = 27) had access to Aspergillus spp. ELISA galactomannan testing as well as to Cryptococcus spp. antigen testing (83.9%, n = 26). Serological tests were mostly available for Aspergillus species (80.6%, n = 25); and most institutions reported access to mould-active antifungal drugs (83.9%; n = 26), but 5-flucytosine was available to only 29% (n = 9) of the participant centres. In conclusion, this study represents the first attempt to document the strengths and limitations of the Eastern and South-Eastern European region for diagnosing and treating fungal diseases.