Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis associated with viral pneumonitis

•Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) can complicate severe influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).•IAPA and CAPA pathogenesis share features such as airway epithelial damage and hyperinflammation, but differ regarding other mechanisms.•IAPA and CAPA management should not only involve antiviral and antifungal agents, but also host-directed therapy to rebalance the immune response. The occurrence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in critically ill patients with viral pneumonitis has increasingly been reported in recent years. Influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) are the two most common forms of this fungal infection. These diseases cause high mortality in patients, most of whom were previously immunocompetent. The pathogenesis of IAPA and CAPA is still not fully understood, but involves viral, fungal and host factors. In this article, we discuss several aspects regarding IAPA and CAPA, including their possible pathogenesis, the use of immunotherapy, and future challenges.