Candidaemia in cancer patients and in children in a neonatal intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology

Background:

• Candidemia, a serious bloodstream infection, poses a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations like neonates and immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients.
• Understanding the etiological agents and risk factors for candidemia is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the predominant Candida species causing bloodstream infections in neonates and cancer patients.
• To determine the association between intravenous catheter use and candidemia in these patient groups.
• To investigate the role of prophylactic fluconazole therapy in Candida krusei candidemia.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of blood culture data from neonates and cancer patients.
• Identification and speciation of Candida isolates using standard microbiological techniques.
• Correlation analysis to assess risk factors and treatment associations.

Main Results:

• Candida parapsilosis (48%) was the most frequent yeast isolated from neonates, followed by Candida albicans (41%).
• In cancer patients, Candida albicans (44%) was the predominant species, followed by Candida parapsilosis (28%).
• Intravenous catheter presence was noted in all neonates and 69% of cancer patients with candidemia. Candida krusei candidemia was linked to fluconazole prophylaxis.

Conclusions:

• Candida species causing bloodstream infections differ between neonates and cancer patients, with C. parapsilosis and C. albicans being most prevalent in each group, respectively.
• Intravenous catheterization is a major risk factor for candidemia across both studied populations.
• The association of C. krusei with fluconazole prophylaxis warrants further investigation into antifungal resistance patterns.