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09:27

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Time to positive culture results in neonatal Candida septicemia

Robert L Schelonka1, Stephen A Moser

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 21, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Invasive Candida infections in neonates are typically detected within 37 hours in blood cultures. Most cases (97%) are identified within 72 hours without antifungal treatment, aiding early diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Neonatal Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections, particularly Candida species, pose a significant threat to neonates.
  • Early detection of Candida bloodstream infections is crucial for timely therapeutic intervention and improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish the typical time to positivity for blood cultures in neonates diagnosed with invasive Candida infection.
  • To determine the detection window for Candida bloodstream infections in neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 207 positive blood culture episodes from 74 neonates with invasive Candida infection.
  • Calculation of the mean time to positive culture result and the percentage of detection within specific timeframes.

Main Results:

  • The mean time to a positive blood culture result was 37 +/- 14 hours.
  • Without antifungal therapy, 97% of infected neonates had positive cultures detected within 72 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Blood cultures in neonates with invasive Candida infections show positivity within a predictable timeframe.
  • The 72-hour window is highly effective for detecting Candida bloodstream infections in neonates not receiving antifungal treatment, supporting diagnostic protocols.

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