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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
[Study on candida infections in intensive care unit from 2008 to 2012]
Junling Liu1, Heyuan Sun1, Shuying Wang1
1Department of ICU, Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China.
Insights
Candida infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) increased annually, primarily as respiratory infections caused by Candida albicans. High resistance to itraconazole necessitates attention.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Candida infections pose a significant threat in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Understanding the epidemiology and antifungal resistance patterns of Candida is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence, species distribution, and antifungal resistance of Candida infections in the ICU of Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital from 2008 to 2012.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU between 2008 and 2012.
- Culturing and identification of Candida from various clinical specimens (blood, sputum, urine).
- Statistical analysis of infection rates, species prevalence, and antifungal drug resistance.
Main Results:
- Candida infection was identified in 1.68% (76/4529) of ICU patients.
- Sputum was the most common source (68.4%), followed by blood (11.8%) and urine (10.5%).
- Candida albicans was the predominant species; high resistance rates were observed for itraconazole (19.7%) and voriconazole (15.8%).
Conclusions:
- Candida infections in the ICU are increasing, with respiratory infections caused by Candida albicans being most frequent.
- The high resistance of Candida to itraconazole requires clinical attention and potential adjustments in antifungal strategies.
Objective:
To investigate and analyze the candida infection situation at the intensive care unit (ICU) in Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital from 2008 to 2012.
Methods:
Critically ill patients admitted in ICU Department in Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital from Jan. 2008 to Dem. 2012 were selected, and candida in all blood, sputum and other specimens of patients, were tested. Data on the following items as:hospital sections and distribution of candida infection on the places where the fungus was identified, distribution of different species of candida, antifungal drug resistance of candidates commonly used in ICU department in the last five years etc., were statistically analyzed.
Results:
Among 4 529 cases of critically ill patients stayed in the hospital ICU Department between 2008 and 2012, 76 cases of candida infection were identified, with the rate as 1.68%. In the past five years, candida in hospital ICU was mainly detected in sputum samples in 52 cases which accounted for 68.4%. Another 9 cases were detected in blood, accounted for 11.8%, 8 cases were detected in urine, which accounted for 10.5% , 36 cases (47.4%) of candida infection detected at the hospital ICU department in the last 5 years with major species as Candida albicans infection, followed by Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis and Portugal Candida. The highest rate of resistance was to itraconazole, with a resistance rate of 19.7%, followed by voriconazole, with the rate as 15.8%.
Conclusion:
In recent years, the number of patients infected with candida at the ICU department had increased annually with most cases as respiratory infections, which were caused by Candida albicans. The rate of resistance of candida to itraconazole was the highest, which called for special attention.
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