Candida Bloodstream Infection and Antifungal Susceptibility Over Three Years in a Single Center from Medinah, Saudi Arabia

In the healthcare setting, Candida bloodstream infections significantly increase morbidity and mortality. There is little proof that invasive infections in Saudi Arabia are brought on by Candida spp. To identify Candida species that cause bloodstream infections and ascertain the clinical outcome and risk factors for mortality in a Saudi Arabian tertiary hospital. This retrospective analysis covered all instances in which patients hospitalized to Ohud hospital, a tertiary care facility in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, between January 2019 and December 2021, had positive blood cultures for Candida. Anaerobic and aerobic Bactec bottles were inoculated with blood samples and then incubated at 35°C for five days. Identification-YST card kits from VITEK II (BioMerieux, France) for yeast and yeast-like organisms. Testing for antifungal susceptibility was done using AST YS07. A total of 78 patients (71% men, 29% women) were found to have candidemia. Candida albicans (51.3%), Candida parapsilosis (16.7%), and Candida tropicalis (16.7%) were the three Candida spp. that were most frequently isolated. Those with Saudi (51%; P = 0.500), leukopenia (40%; P = 0.001), neutrophilia (92%; P = 0.638), and thrombocytopenia (42%; P = 0.374) had a higher incidence of candidemia. Fluconazole sensitivity in non-albicans Candida species was 39.5%. Nonetheless, caspofungin was effective against all species. This study discovered an epidemiological shift toward more non-albicans Candida spp. in Saudi Arabia as well as a changing pattern in the Candida spp. causing bloodstream infections.

Cost-effectiveness analysis and budgetary impact of anidulafungin treatment for patients with candidemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis in Brazil

ABSTRACT Candidemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis (C/IC) are serious conditions, especially for immunosuppressed individuals with prolonged hospitalization in intensive care units (ICU). This study analyzed the incremental cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact (BI) of treatment for IC with anidulafungin compared to amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) and amphotericin B deoxycholate (ABD) or conventional amphotericin B (CAB), in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). A decision model was conducted with a time horizon of two weeks from the perspective of SUS. The primary effectiveness endpoints were survival and treatment response rate. All patients were followed up until successful therapy or death. BI analysis was performed based on the measured demand method. A five-year time horizon was adopted based on the number of hospitalizations (per 1,000 hospitalizations). For effectiveness measured in the successful response rate (SRR), anidulafungin dominated the ABLC and ABD formulations. In the results of the analysis with the effectiveness measured according to survival, anidulafungin had a better cost-effectiveness ratio (R$988.26/survival) compared to ABD (R$16,359.50/survival). The BI estimate related to the incorporation of anidulafungin suggests savings of approximately 148 million reais in 5 years when comparing it to ABD. The economic evaluation of anidulafungin and its comparators found it to be cost-effective. The consensus of international scientific societies recommends it as a first-line drug for IC, and its incorporation by SUS would be important.

Research progress on drug combination therapy against Candida albicans / 药学实践杂志

Candida albicans is one of the most common species of Candida, which is an important cause of invasive candidiasis in clinic. Due to the frequently use of classical antifungal agents, there are amounts of drug resistant C. albicans being isolated, causing the significantly decreasing of the efficacy of some antifungal agents in clinical treatment. Besides, the use of some compounds in clinic has been limited because of their toxicities. In such a context, drug combination therapy shows great potential on antifungal because of the synergy of different drugs or therapeutic methods that could bring, which could improve the weaknesses of single drug.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of Candidemia in eight medical centers in the state of Parana, Brazil: Parana Candidemia Network

ABSTRACT Objectives: Candida spp. has been reported as one of the common agents of nosocomial bloodstream infections and is associated with a high mortality. Therefore, this study evaluated the clinical findings, local epidemiology, and microbiological aspects of candidemia in eight tertiary medical centers in the state of Parana, South of Brazil. Methods: In this study, we reported 100 episodes of candidemia in patients admitted to eight different hospitals in five cities of the state of Parana, Brazil, using data collected locally (2016 and 2017) and tabulated online. Results: The incidence was found to be 2.7 / 1000 patients / day and 1.2 / 1000 admissions. C. albicans was responsible for 49% of all candidemia episodes. Cancer and surgery were the two most common underlying conditions associated with candidemia. The mortality rate within 30 days was 48%, and removal of the central venous catheter (p = 0.029) as well as empirical or prophylactic exposure to antifungals were both related to improved survival (p = 0.033). Conclusions: This study highlights the high burden and mortality rates of candidemia in hospitals from Parana as well as the need to enhance antifungal stewardship program in the enrolled medical centers.

Antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida clinical isolates from 22 hospitals of São Paulo State, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of cryptic Candida species from candidemia cases in 22 public hospitals in São Paulo State, Brazil, and their antifungal susceptibility profiles. During 2017 and 2018, 144 isolates were molecularly identified as 14 species; C. parapsilosis (32.6%), C. albicans (27.7%), C. tropicalis (14.6%), C. glabrata (9.7%), C. krusei (2.8%), C. orthopsilosis (2.8%), C. haemulonii var. vulnera (2.1%), C. haemulonii (1.4%), C. metapsilosis (1.4%), C. dubliniensis (1.4%), C. guilliermondii (1.4%), C. duobushaemulonii (0.7%), C. kefyr (0.7%), and C. pelliculosa (0.7%). Poor susceptibility to fluconazole was identified in 6.4% of C. parapsilosis isolates (0.12 to >64 µg/mL), 50% of C. guilliermondii (64 µg/mL), 66.6% of C. haemulonii var. vulnera (16-32 µg/mL), and C. duobushaemulonii strain (MIC 64 µg/mL). Our results corroborated the emergence of C. glabrata in Brazilian cases of candidemia as previously reported. Importantly, we observed a large proportion of non-wild type C. glabrata isolates to voriconazole (28.6%; <0.015 to 4 µg/mL) all of which were also resistant to fluconazole (28.6%). Of note, C. haemulonii, a multidrug resistant species, has emerged in the Southeast region of Brazil. Our findings suggested a possible epidemiologic change in the region with an increase in fluconazole-resistant species causing candidemia. We stress the relevance of routine accurate identification to properly manage therapy and monitor epidemiologic trends.

Echinocandins: Their role in the management of Candida biofilms

The importance of antifungal agents and their clinical implications has received little attention in comparison to antibiotics, particularly in the health-care setting. However, apart from bacterial infections rising in hospitals, the incidences of fungal infections are growing with the development of resistance to conventional antifungal agents. Newer antifungal agents such as echinocandins (ECs) have been extensively studied over the past decade and are recognised as a superior treatment compared with prior antifungals as a first line of therapy in tertiary institutions. Caspofungin (CAS), micafungin (MICA) and anidulafungin (ANID) are the three most widely used EC antifungal agents. The treatment of biofilm-associated fungal infections affecting patients in tertiary health-care facilities has been identified as a challenge, particularly in Indian Intensive Care Unit (ICU) settings. With the rising number of critically ill patients requiring invasive devices such as central venous catheters for treatment, especially in ICUs, these devices serve as a potential source of nosocomial infections. Candida spp. colonisation is a major precursor of these infections and further complicates and prolongs treatment procedures, adding to increasing costs both for hospitals and the patient. Analysing studies involving the use of these agents can help in making critical decisions for antifungal therapy in the event of a fungal infection in the ICU. In addition, the development of resistance to antifungal agents is a crucial factor for assessing the appropriate antifungals that can be used for treatment. This review provides an overview of ANID in biofilms, along with CAS and MICA, in terms of clinical efficacy, resistance development and potency, primarily against Candida spp.

In vitro antifungal susceptibility of clinical and environmental isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus in Brazil

ABSTRACT The in vitro susceptibility of 105 clinical and environmental strains of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus to antifungal drugs, such as amphotericin B, azoles, and echinocandins was evaluated by the broth microdilution method proposed by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). Following the EUCAST-proposed breakpoints, 20% and 25% of the clinical and environmental isolates of A. fumigatus, respectively, were found to be resistant to itraconazole (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration, MIC > 2.0 mg/L). Voriconazole showed good activity against A. fumigatus and A. flavus strains, except for one clinical strain of A. fumigatus whose MIC was 4.0 mg/L. Posaconazole (≤0.25 mg/L) also showed appreciable activity against both species of Aspergillus, except for six A. fumigatus strains with relatively higher MICs (0.5 mg/L). The MICs for Amphotericin B ranged from 0.06 to 1.0 mg/L for A. fumigatus, but were much higher (0.5-8.0 mg/L) for A. flavus. Among the echinocandins, caspofungin showed a geometric mean of 0.078 and 0.113 against the clinical and environmental strains of A. flavus, respectively, but had elevated minimal effective concentrations (MECs) for seven of the A. fumigatus strains. Anidulafungin and micafungin exhibited considerable activity against both A. fumigatus and A. flavus isolates, except for one environmental isolate of A. fumigatus that showed an MEC of 1 mg/L to micafungin. Our study proposes that a detailed investigation of the antifungal susceptibility of the genus Aspergillus from different regions of Brazil is necessary for establishing a response profile against the different classes of antifungal agents used in the treatment of aspergillosis.

Opciones terapéuticas frente a especies de Candida resistentes a las equinocandinas / Therapeutic options in the management of echinocandin resistant Candida species

Introducción: La infección por levaduras del género Candida representa la causa más común de infecciones fúngicas invasivas. Su alta incidencia y la creciente resistencia frente a los azoles y, recientemente, a las equinocandinas ha generado la necesidad de buscar nuevas alternativas farmacológicas. Esta revisión presenta las principales alternativas farmacológicas en estudio frente a Candida resistente a equinocandinas. Métodos: Se buscó literatura referente al tema en las bases de datos Bireme, Clinical Key, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Pubmed y Scopus. Se incluyeron 15 artículos en esta revisión. Resultados: Se exploran diferentes alternativas, incluyendo el aumento de dosis de las equinocandinas, su combinación con otros medicamentos y nuevos compuestos en estudio. Conclusión: A pesar de que las infecciones por Candida resistente a equinocandinas aún representan un desafío, dos alternativas farmacológicas se presentan como promisorias: la combinación con medicamentos existentes como el diclofenaco y nuevos compuestos que se encuentran actualmente en fase II de estudios clínicos.

Introduction: Candida yeasts infections represent the most common cause of invasive fungal infections. Its high incidence and increasing resistance to azoles and, recently, to echinocandins has generated the need to find new therapeutic options. This review presents the main pharmacological alternatives in research against echinocandins resistant Candida. Methods: A search was conducted in the databases of Bireme, Clinical Key, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Pubmed and Scopus. 15 articles were included in this review. Results: Several alternatives are explored, including increased doses of echinocandins, combination with other drugs and new compounds under study. Conclusion: Although resistant Candida infections still represent a challenge, two pharmacological approaches show promise: The combination with existing medicaments such as diclofenac, and new compounds that are currently in Phase II of clinical trials.

Cambios clínicos y epidemiológicos de candidemias en pacientes adultos desde 2000 a 2013 / Clinical and epidemiological changes of candidemia among adult patients from 2000 to 2013

Background: Invasive Candida spp. infections have been described more frequently. Aim: To characterize the epidemiological data of candidemia in recent years. Methods: A retrospective study of adult patients in a University Hospital in Santiago, Chile, with 1 or more documented episodes of candidemia, from January 2000 to December 2013. Results: One hundred and twenty episodes of candidemia were identified in 120 patients, annual incidence of 0.4 cases per 1000 discharges, 53.3% were male patients, 58.3% > 60 years, 77,5% had at least one co-morbidity. Candida albicans was the species most frequently identified 55%, followed by C. glabrata 18.3%, C. tropicalis 11.7% and C. parapsilosis 9.2%. Comparing 2000-2006 vs 2007-2013, increased the frequency of C. parapsilosis among non-albicans and echinocandins prescription. Patients with C. albicans showed higher APACHE-II, more requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation, greater association with CVC, and shorter incubation time compared with non-albicans species. The 30-day mortality was 31.7%. Conclusions: During this 14-years period we observed that C. albicans was the predominant specie and more recently a change among C. non-albicans increasing C. parapsilosis and decreasing C. glabrata 30-days and attributable mortality decreased together with more echinocandins prescription.

Introducción: Las infecciones invasoras por Candida spp. se describen cada vez con mayor frecuencia. Objetivo: Precisar datos epidemiológicos de candidemia en nuestro hospital en los últimos años. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes adultos de un hospital universitario en Santiago, Chile, con un o más episodios de candidemia, acaecidas desde enero de 2000 a diciembre de 2013. Resultados: Se identificaron 120 episodios de candidemia, incidencia anual 0,4 casos x 1.000 egresos, 53,3% pacientes masculinos, 58,3% > 60 años y 77,5% presentaban al menos una co-morbilidad. Candida albicans fue la especie más frecuente (55%), seguida por C. glabrata (18,3%), C. tropicalis (11,7%) y C. parapsilosis (9,2%). Los tiempos de incubación e identificación fueron más prolongados para C. glabrata. Al comparar el período 2000-2006 vs 2007-2013, aumentó la frecuencia de C. parapsilosis entre las C. no-albicans y el uso de equinocandinas. Los pacientes con C. albicans presentaban puntaje APACHE-II más elevado, mayor requerimiento de ventilación mecánica invasora, mayor asociación a CVC y menor tiempo de incubación respecto C. no-albicans. La mortalidad a 30 días fue de 31,7%. Conclusiones: Durante este período de 14 años observamos predominio de C. albicans y en el período reciente incremento de C. parapsilosis con disminución de C. glabrata, una disminución de mortalidad global y atribuible junto a mayor uso de equinocandinas.

Voriconazole plus caspofungin for treatment of invasive fungal infection in children with acute leukemia

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a life-threatening problem in immunocompromised patients. Despite timely diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy, clinical outcomes of IFIs remain unsatisfactory, necessitating treatment with a combination of antifungal agents. Therefore, childhood leukemic patients treated with voriconazole plus caspofungin were evaluated for the safety and efficacy of the combination antifungal therapy to treat IFIs. METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records were retrieved for patients admitted to the Pediatric Department of Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea, between April 2009 and May 2013. Medical records of 22 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients studied, nine (41%) had been diagnosed with probable IFI, and 13 (59%) with possible IFI. All patients, except one, were already receiving antifungal monotherapy for the treatment of neutropenic fever. After a diagnosis of IFI was confirmed, antifungal monotherapy was replaced with combination therapy. The study's overall response rate was 90.9%, with complete responses in 86.3% of the patients. Two patients experienced a side effect of a small increase in liver enzyme levels. CONCLUSION: Voriconazole plus caspofungin combination therapy is an effective and safe treatment for serious IFI in pediatric patients with acute leukemia.

Clinical analysis of 1 case of micafungin treatment :fluconazole-exposed candi-demia and review of related literature / 药学实践杂志

Objective To investigate countermeasures and effects of clinical pharmacists participating in the treatment for fluconazole-exposure candidemia,and to provide reference for infectious control in the clinic.Methods Clinical pharmacists used their professional knowledge and suggested utilizing micafungin to treat candidemia,when voriconazole was ineffective in a patient with candidemia and fluconazole exposure history.Results The patient′s candida bloodstream infection was finally con-trolled.Clinical pharmacists were highly complimented from the doctors,nurses and patients.Conclusion Micafungin is effec-tive in treatment of candidemia with a recent (＜30 days) fluconazole exposure history.The participation of clinical pharmacists is helpful to develop individual medicinal therapy in clinical treatment and can improve therapeutic effects.

In vitro analysis of the antibacterial activity of Micafungin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 中华检验医学杂志

Objectives Selecting and constructing the biofilm -model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro.Observing the antibacterial activity of using Micafungin alone , or combined with Meropenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( plankton-grown and biofilm-grown ) . Methods Ten clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected in July 2012, constructing the biofilm-model by microwell plate from Xiangya Hospital, Central South University.The ability of biofilm-formation of these strains was estimated by crystal violet colorimetric method, and optical microscope was used to observe the shape of the biofilm .MICs of Micafungin and Meropenem against plankton -grown and biofilm-grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested by broth microdilution method, and the changes of MICs were compared.Using broth microdilution method, and connecting with the crystal violet colorimetric method , to observe the antibacterial effect of using Micafungin alone, or combined with antibiotics in the inhibition of the biofilm formation and destruction of mature biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.SPSS18.0 and t-test were used in comparing the differences between both treatment group and control group.P <0.05 showed the difference was statistically significant . Results Ten strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were successful in forming biofilms.Comparing with their planktonic counterparts, biofilms became more resistant to Meropenem , with the MIC raised 4-128 times. However, MIC of Micafungin could not be measured.Micafungin can inhibit the formation of biofilm in 9 experimental strains (PA1-PA9), where the minimum effective concentration of Micafungin were 156.25, 625, 10 000, 2 500, 1 250, 2 500, 1 250, 625 and 10 000 mg/L respectively.The absorbance values of the minimum effective concentration group and its positive growth control group were 0.342 ±0.020 vs 0.491 ±0.027, 0.512 ±0.018 vs 0.627 ±0.043, 0.862 ±0.021 vs 1.155 ±0.027, 0.731 ±0.028 vs 0.863 ± 0.017, 0.311 ±0.003 vs 0.447 ±0.021, 0.435 ±0.021 vs 0.597 ±0.011, 0.520 ±0.012 vs 0.605 ± 0.027, 0.611 ±0.059 vs 0.734 ±0.017, 0.223 ±0.011 vs 0.343 ±0.037 respectively, where the P values were 0.02, 0.03, 0.00, 0.01, 0.01, 0.00, 0.03, 0.01 and 0.03 respectively.The differences are statistically significant.Micafungin can damage the mature biofilm of 7 strains (PA1, PA2, PA4 -PA8), where the minimum effective concentration of Micafungin were 2 500, 2 500, 5 000, 2 500, 5 000, 2 500, 5 000 mg/L respectively.The absorbance values of the minimum effective concentration group and its positive growth control group were 1.459 ±0.014 vs 1.534 ±0.020, 1.279 ±0.020 vs 1.431 ±0.007, 1.365 ±0.024 vs 1.467 ±0.065, 1.322 ±0.028 vs 1.530 ±0.090, 0.920 ±0.004 vs 1.047 ±0.013, 1.860 ±0.005 vs 1.953 ±0.055, 1.407 ±0.005 vs 1.553 ±0.045 respectively, where the P values were 0.01, 0.01, 0.02, 0.01, 0.00, 0.03, 0.02.The difference is statistically significant.Micafungin combined with Meropenem applied in multiple drug resistant strains , which can inhibit the formation of biofilm better.Conclusions Micafungin can inhibit the formation Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and damage the mature biofilms.Micafungin combined with Meropenem can act on multiple drug resistant strain , which may get a higher inhibition rate of the biofilm.

Aspergilosis traqueobronquial necrotizante en paciente crítico / Necrotizing tracheobronchial aspergillosis in an immunosuppressed patient. Report of one case

Necrotizing tracheobronchitis due to Aspergillus spp is a rare form of invasive aspergillosis. This infection is limited to or predominant in the bronchial tree. The clinical evolution is gradual: from mild non-specific manifestations of acute tracheobronchitis to severe acute respiratory insufficiency determined by a bronchial obstruction syndrome. We report a 38 years old female with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. She developed an invasive aspergillosis, severe respiratory failure with predominant tracheobronchial damage and upper respiratory complications.

Advance of resistance mechanisms of echinocandins against Candida and antifungal activity in vitro / 中华检验医学杂志

Although echinocandins,a new generation of antifungal drugs,shows good fungicidal activity against distinct species of Candida,with the extending usage,the activity of echinocandins is gradually to decline,which is caused by different resistance mechanisms.Also,a number of factors may influence its results of susceptibility in vitro (e.g.,human serum,culture temperature in vitro,the pH of the culture medium,and others).Paradoxical effect of echinocandins has its own characteristics and need a further study.In China,there are a few reports about the instances of drug resistance because of the limited clinic application.The study on the echinocandins in prevalence rate of drug resistance and antifungal activity under different status has important clinical significance.

A review of Candida species causing blood stream infection.

The incidence of candidemia has been on a rise worldwide. The epidemiology of invasive fungal infections in general and of candidemia in particular has changed in the past three decades because of a variety of factors like the AIDS epidemic, increased number of patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy for transplantation and the increasing use of antimicrobials in the hospital setups and even in the community. The important risk factors for candidemia include use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, cancer chemotherapy, mucosal colonization by Candida species, indwelling vascular catheters like central venous catheters, etc. More than 90% of the invasive infections due to Candida species are attributed to five species-Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei. However, the list of new species of Candida isolated from clinical specimens continues to grow every year. Early diagnosis and proper treatment is the key for management of candidemia cases.

The activity of echinocandins, amphotericin B and voriconazole against fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant Brazilian Candida glabrata isolates

The extensive use of azole antifungal agents has promoted the resistance of Candida spp to these drugs. Candida glabrata is a problematic yeast because it presents a high degree of primary or secondary resistance to fluconazole. In Brazil, C. glabrata has been less studied than other species. In this paper, we compared the activity of three major classes of antifungal agents (azoles, echinocandins and polyenes) against fluconazole-susceptible (FS) and fluconazole-resistant (FR) C. glabrata strains. Cross-resistance between fluconazole and voriconazole was remarkable. Among the antifungal agents, the echinocandins were the most effective against FS and FR C. glabrata and micafungin showed the lowest minimal inhibitory concentrations.

Equinocandinas / Echinocandins

The echinocandins, caspofugin, micafungin, and anidulafungin, are lipopeptides that inhibit fungal growth by binding to β - (1.3) d glucan synthase. This enzyme is responsible for the formation of the peptidoglycan cell wall, and it is essential in fungi such as Candida spp, but less important in the case of Aspergillus and Fusarium species. We review the history, pharmacology and clinical trials that have showed clinical efficacy similar to amphotericin B for the management of fungal infections such as candidemia, invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis, even in cases refractory to initial treatment. These drugs have less toxicity and discontinuation is uncommonly required. Despite similar spectrum and tolerability, there are several pharmacological differences. Only a few clinical trials compare the clinical efficacy between them and their clinical application cannot be generalized. However, the echinocandins have demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with invasive candidiasis and in others forms of systemic mycoses.

Las equinocandinas -caspofugina, micafungina y ani-dulafungina- son lipopéptidos que inhiben el crecimiento fúngico al unirse a la β-(1,3) d glucano sintetasa, enzima esencial para la síntesis en la pared celular de hongos como Candida spp, y menos importante en el caso de especies de Aspergillus y Fusarium. Se revisa la historia, farmacología y los diferentes ensayos clínicos que han evidenciado similar eficacia clínica a la de anfotericina B para el manejo de infecciones micóticas como candidemia, candidiasis invasora y aspergilosis, inclusive en casos refractarios al manejo inicial. Estos medicamentos tienen menor toxicidad y en pocos casos hay necesidad de retiro del tratamiento. Dado su espectro y tolerabilidad similar, su farmacología permite diferenciarlas. Se dispone de información limitada de estudios clínicos que las comparen entre ellas, limitando la extrapolación de la información a todo el grupo. Sin embargo, presentan eficacia clínica comprobada en pacientes con varias micosis invasoras.

Candidiasis invasoras en el paciente crítico adulto / Invasive candidiasis in critically ill adult patient

Las infecciones invasoras por Candida spp, representan una patología relevante en los pacientes críticos. Para su oportuno diagnóstico es necesaria una elevada sospecha clinica, tomando en consideración el cuadro clinico y la presencia de factores de riesgo. Pese a la incorporación de nuevos fármacos al arsenal terapéutico durante la última década, mantiene una elevada mortalidad. Las claves para mejorar los desenlaces clínicos en estos pacientes son el empleo de una terapia precoz, eficaz y que permita la cobertura de distintas especies de Candida: C albicans y no albicans. Recientes guías internacionales sugieren la terapia empírica con equinocandinas ante la sospecha de candidiasis invasora en esta población de pacientes. Este grupo de fármacos ha documentado adecuada eficacia clínica y seguridad en estos pacientes. Se espera que la incorporación de nuevas equinocandinas al mercado aminore sus costos y mejore el acceso a este grupo de fármacos.

Invasive infections by Candida strains are a relevant pathology in critically ill patients. Candida should be considered where a high risk of infection is present for a critical early diagnosis. Despite the incorporation of new drugs in the therapeutic armamentarium over the last decade, mortality remains high. The key in improving clinical outcomes of these patients are the use of early effective therapies that offer coverage against different strains of Candida: C. albicans and non-albicans. Recent international guidelines suggest empiric therapy with echinocandins in suspected invasive candidiasis in this patient population. This group of drugs adequately documented clinical efficacy and safe use in these patients. The emergence of new echinocandins could improve access to these drugs by reducing their cost.

Catheter-related Candidemia Caused by Candida haemulonii in a Patient in Long-term Hospital Care

Candida haemulonii, one of the non-albicans Candida species, is an emerging yeast pathogen that is known to be resistant to amphotericin B and other antifungal agents such as azoles. These anti-fungal agents have often been associated with clinical treatment failure, so no treatment regimen has been clearly established for invasive C. haemulonii infections. We investigated a catheter-related infection of C. haemulonii candidemia in an adult patient in long-term hospital care. In the early stages, the candidemia remained persistent despite treatment with fluconazole. However, after changing the antifungal agent to caspofungin, the candidemia was resolved. Fluconazole and amphotericin B are not reliable empirical antifungal agents for invasive C. haemulonii infections, as shown in previous case reports. An echinocandin such as caspofungin may be an appropriate empirical choice of antifungal agent for an invasive C. haemulonii infection.

Expresiones cutáneas de candidiasis sistémica en pacientes inmunosuprimidos / Cutaneous expression of systemic candidiasis in immunosuppressed patients

La candidiasis sistémica constituye una importante causa de morbimortalidad en pacientes internados en centros de alta complejidad. Las expresiones cutáneas de la infección son múltiples y se observan en un pequeño porcentaje de pacientes. Se presentan cinco casos de candidiasis sistémica con compromiso cutáneo en pacientes inmunosuprimidos: un paciente trasplantado de médula ósea, dos pacientes con leucemia mieloide aguda, un caso de sepsis bacteriana y un paciente con linfoma linfocítico. Todos los pacientes presentaron fiebre persistente y lesiones cutáneas que se biopsiaron para estudio histológico y cultivo. La histopatología mostró seudohifas en tres de los casos. En los cultivos de piel se identificó a Candida tropicalis, Candida Krusei y Candida albicans en dos pacientes. El incremento de cepas resistentes hace necesario el empleo de nuevos antifúngicos como las equinocandinas para el tratamiento de esta entidad.

Systemic candidiasis is a signifi cant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed hospitalized patients. Skin signs of systemic candi-diasis are numerous although they can be observed in a small percent-age of patients. We report fi ve cases of systemic candidiasis with cutaneous manifestations in immunosuppressed patients: one case of bone- marrow transplantation, two patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, one with bacterial sepsis and one patient with lymphocitic lymphoma. The patients presented persistent fever and cutaneous lesions. Skin biopsy for histopathological study and cultures were carried out. The histological examination showed yeasts in three of the cases. Skin culture revealed: Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei and Candida albicansin two cases. Due to the increase of resistant species new drugs such as echinocandins are currently available for the treatment of this entity.