[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.
Abstract

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