Fungal infections: correlation with previous treatment and use of antimycogram

From July 1987 to November 1988, 427 strains of mycetes (2.3% out of all microbiological samples) were isolated; 280 of these strains (146 from 84 in-patients, 134 from out-patients) were clinically relevant, and the cause of serious or systemic infections in 47 in-patients. Candida sp. (albicans and non-albicans) were the most frequently isolated (62% in-patients, 72% out-patients): Torulopsis sp., more frequent among in-patients (28% against 16%), were responsible for a limited hospital epidemic. 108 antimycograms were done; 7 patients had antimycotic treatment. In our hands antimycograms were useful in tracing hospital fungal infections. Before mycoses were detected, 78% of in-patients were on antibiotic treatment: 54 on 3rd generation cephalosporins, which seem to foster the outburst of fungi. The authors discuss the phenomenon and suggest some interpretation.