The clinical characteristics and risk factors of mixed Candida/bacterial bloodstream infections / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and associated risk factors for patients with mixed Candida/bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs).Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the Second Affiliated hHospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2012 to June 2015.The clinical data of cases was collected,and the clinical characteristics,the microbiology data and outcomes in patients with mixed Candida/bacterial BSIs confirmed by blood culture were compared with those with candidaemia.A Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the independent risk factors.Results A total of 136 candidaemia cases were analyzed including 40 cases (29.4％) of mixed Candida/boacterial BSIs and 96 cases of candidaemia.Among the 136 candidas strains,the proportion of non-albicans exceeded the albicans (50.7％ vs 49.3％),although the later was still the predominant one.There was no significant difference in the distribution of candidas strains between patients with mixed Candida/bacterial BSIs and patients with candidaemia.In patients with mixed Candida/bacterial BSIs,25 strains (61.0％) of gram-positive cocci and 16 strains (39.0％) of gram-negative bacilli were isolated.Compared with patients with candidaemia,patients with mixed Candida/bacterial BSIs needed longer period of antifungal therapy [12.0 (4.0-25.0)days vs 7.0 (3.0-13.5) days,P=0.027],but the crude 30-day and 90-day mortality did not differ between the two groups (40.0％ vs 32.3％;45.0％ vs 36.5％;both P＞0.05).Univariate analysis revealed that the prior hospital stay,ICU admission at the onset of candidaemia,blood transfusion,human albumin infusion,mechanical ventilation,linezolid use and high SOFA score were related with the occurrence of mixed Candida/bacterial BSIs (all P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that only high SOFA score was the independent risk factor (P=0.003).Conclusions Gram-positive cocci were the predominant species in mixed Candida/bacterial BSIs.Compared with candidaemia,mixed Candida/bacterial BSIs needs a longer ICU stay,a longer hospital stay,and a prolonged antifungal therapy.High SOFA score is the independent risk factor for mixed Candida/ bacterial BSIs.

Comparison of four molecular approaches to identify Candida parapsilosis complex species

Since the description of Candida orthopsilosis and C. metapsilosis in 2005, several methods have been proposed to identify and differentiate these species from C. parapsilosis sensu stricto. Species-specific uniplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and compared with sequencing of the D1/D2 region of the LSU 28S rDNA gene, microsatellite typing of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns in the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the rDNA gene. There was agreement between results of testing of 98 clinical isolates with the four PCR-based methods, with 59 isolates identified as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, 37 as C. orthopsilosis, and two as C. metapsilosis.

Prognostic factors for candidaemia in intensive care unit patients: a retrospective analysis

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Candidaemia, recognised as a fairly common disease among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, carries a poor prognosis. However, as studies on the prognostic factors associated with candidaemia in ICU patients are limited, this study aimed to establish the best prognostic factor for ICU patients with candidaemia in a tertiary care hospital in Japan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with candidaemia in the emergency ICU at Fukuoka University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan, from April 2010 to March 2015. Demographic and clinical data was collected from the patients' medical records and laboratory databases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 25 patients were included in the study. However, 18 patients died during hospitalisation, resulting in an in-hospital mortality rate of 72.0%. The variables of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and cumulative number of risk factors for invasive candidiasis showed significant differences between patients in the survivor and non-survivor groups (p < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the SOFA score and cumulative number of risk factors for invasive candidiasis were 0.873 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-1.00) and 0.937 (95% CI 0.84-1.00), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that the cumulative number of risk factors for invasive candidiasis was the most useful prognostic indicator for candidaemia in ICU patients.</p>

Is timely and appropriate antifungal drug enough for survival of adult cases with candidaemia? Five-year experience / ¿Es el uso oportuno y adecuado de antimicóticos suficiente para la supervivencia de casos de adultos con candidemia? Cinco años de experiencia

OBJECTIVE: Candidaemia is the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality in patients with candidaemia with respect to Candida species and their susceptibilities, retrospectively. METHODS: All consecutive patients who developed candidaemia at an 800-bed training and research hospital were enrolled in this retrospective, observational, single centre study during the period June 2006 to December 2011. RESULTS: A total of 97 candidaemia episodes were identified in 97 patients during the study period with an overall incidence of four episodes/10 000 admissions in adults. Crude 30-day mortality rates among patients with candidaemia were 56% (55 of 97 cases). Urinary catheterization, immunosuppressive therapy, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score (>16) and hypoal-buminaemia were found to be independent risk factors for fatal candidaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Adult cases with candidaemia who have risk factors associated with mortality are more likely to have poor prognosis despite appropriate and timely initiated antifungal drug treatment. Empiric antifungal drug should be tailored according to the severity of the patients ' conditions and local antifungal susceptibility.

OBJETIVO: La candidemia es la cuarta causa más común de infecciones nosocomiales del flujo sanguíneo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar los factores de riesgo asociados con la mortalidad en pacientes con candidemia con respecto a las especies de Candida y sus susceptibilidades, de manera retrospectiva. MÉTODOS: Todos los pacientes consecutivos que desarrollaron candidemia en un hospital de capacitación e investigación de 800 camas, fueron inscritos en este estudio retrospectivo, observacional, monocéntrico, durante el período de junio de 2006 a diciembre de 2011. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron un total de 97 episodios de candidemia en 97 pacientes durante el período de estudio con una incidencia general de cuatro episodios/10 000 ingresos en adultos. Las tasas brutas de mortalidad de 30 días entre los pacientes con candidemia fueron 56% (55 de 97 casos). Se halló que la cateterización urinaria, la terapia inmunosupresiva, y la puntuación (> 16) de la escala de Evaluación de la fisiología aguda y salud crónica (APACHE II) así como la hipoalbuminemia, constituyen factores de riesgo para una candidemia fatal. CONCLUSIONES: Los casos adultos con candidemia que tienen factores de riesgo asociados con mortalidad son más propensos a tener un pronóstico pobre a pesar del tratamiento apropiado y oportuno con medicamentos antimicóticos. Los antimicóticos empírico se deben adaptar según la severidad de las condiciones de los pacientes y la susceptibilidad antifúngica local.

Historical trends in the epidemiology of candidaemia: analysis of an 11-year period in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil

Candida species are an important cause of bloodstream infections (BSI). To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological aspects of two cohorts {1994-1999 [period 1 (P1) ]; 2000-2004 [period 2 (P2) ]} of candidaemic patients, we performed a retrospective analysis from a laboratory-based survey. A total of 388 candidaemias were identified, with an incidence of 0.20/1,000 patient-days and a significant increase in P2 vs. P1 (0.25 vs. 0.15, p = 0.04). Cancer and prior antibiotic use were frequent and Candida albicans was the most prevalent species found (42.4%). Resistance to fluconazole was found in 2.47% of the strains. No differences were observed in the species distribution of Candida during the study periods. In the P2 cohort, there were higher prevalence of elderly individuals, cardiac, pulmonary and liver diseases, renal failure, central venous catheters and antibiotic therapy. In P1, there were higher prevalence of neurological diseases and chemotherapy. The crude mortality was 55.4%. In conclusion, our incidence rates remained high. Furthermore, the distribution pattern of Candida species and the fluconazole resistance profile remained unchanged. Moreover, we found a clear trend of higher prevalence of candidaemia among the elderly and among patients with comorbidities. Finally, it is necessary to discuss strategies for the prevention and control of Candida BSI in Brazil.

Non-albicans Candida species in blood stream infections in a tertiary care hospital at New Delhi, India.

Background & objectives: During recent decades, there has been a change in the epidemiology of Candida infections, characterized by a progressive shift from a predominance of Candida albicans to non-albicans Candida species. This study was undertaken to analyze the change in the epidemiology of candidaemia and antifungal use at tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India, over a period of 10 years. Methods: A retrospective review of candidaemia between 1999 and 2008 and antifungal use from 2000 to 2008 was performed at Sir Ganga Ram Hosptial, New Delhi. Initially (1999-2005), isolates were differentiated as C. albicans and non- albicans Candida species. Between 2006-2008, these were identified to the species level and antifungal susceptibility was performed. Results: The occurrence of candidaemia and total antifungal use increased significantly. Candidaemia due to non-albicans species increased and this was correlated with an increasing use of fluconazole. There was emergence and increased isolation of a novel species C. haemulonii with decreased susceptibility to both amphotericin B and azoles. Overall, sensitivities of 89.6, 90.9, 88.6, 68.8 and 54.3 per cent to amphotericin B, 5 flucytosine, voriconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole, respectively were observed. Cross-resistance or reduced susceptibility to both fluconazole (MIC >16 μg/ml) and voriconazole was observed in 11.3 per cent isolates. Interpretation & conclusions: The study demonstrates a shift to non-albicans Candida species causing fungaemia and the emergence of amphotericin B and azole resistant novel species, C. haemulonii. Decreased susceptibility to fluconazole, as well as the threat of emergence of cross-resistance to voriconazole in the background of high azole consumption may limit the use of these agents as a presumptive therapy for Candida blood stream infections (BSI).

Species distribution and anti-fungal susceptibility of Candidaemia at a multi super-specialty center in Southern India.

Candidaemia is one of the leading causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections. There is a rise in the incidence of non-albicans candidaemia and emergence of anti-fungal resistance. We performed a retrospective laboratory-based study over a period of 2 years (January 2009 to December 2010) at our quaternary care multi super-specialty hospital in Southern India. There had been 68 Candida isolates detected from the bloodstream of 55 patients during the study period. Overall, 74% of cases were due to non-albicans Candida. C. tropicalis was most commonly isolated (39.7%), followed by C. albicans (26.4%). All Candida isolates remain susceptible to voriconazole, whereas highest degree of resistance was observed for fluconazole.

Candidiasis in pediatric patients with cancer interned in a university hospital / Candidíases em pacientes pediátricos com câncer internados em um hospital universitário

Fungi are common causes of infection in immunocompromised patients. Candida species are frequently involved in these cases. In order to investigate candidiasis in pediatric patients with cancer, clinical samples were collected from one hundred and twenty two patients interned in the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital in Recife, Brazil. Yeasts were isolated from thirty-four clinical samples. The species isolated were: Candida albicans (fourteen isolates), C. parapsilosis (nine isolates), C. guilliermondii (two isolates) and C. tropicalis (two isolates). We found that candidemia was most frequent in patients with malignant hematology and that C. parapsilosis infections caused the highest mortality.

Os fungos são causas comuns de infecções em pacientes imunocomprometidos e espécies de Candida são freqüentemente envolvidas nesses casos. A fim de investigar infecção fúngica em pacientes pediátricos com câncer, amostras clínicas foram coletadas de cento e vinte dois pacientes internados no Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz em Recife, Brasil. Leveduras foram isoladas de trinta e quatro amostras clínicas. As leveduras isoladas foram: Candida albicans (catorze isolados), C. parapsilosis (nove isolados), C. guilliermondii (dois isolados) e C. tropicalis (dois isolados). Descobrimos que candidemia foi mais freqüente em doentes com hematologias malignas e que C. parapsilosis apresentou maior mortalidade.