Hansenula anomala outbreak at a surgical intensive care unit: a search for risk factors

Eur J Epidemiol. 2001;17(5):491-6. doi: 10.1023/a:1013739802940.

Abstract

During a 5-month period, Hansenula anomala (H. anomala), an opportunistic fungus, caused an outbreak of infections in eight adult patients treated at a surgical intensive care unit (ICU). The source of the infections and route of transmission could not be identified. A case-control study included 32 patients treated simultaneously at the surgical ICU. Univariate analysis pointed to the following significant risk factors: blood alkalosis, reduced urea, duration of hospitalization, bacteremia and colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and an APACHE II score >17 (during bacteremia or fungemia). The stepwise logistic regression multivariate analysis showed only the duration of blood alkalosis to be significant in case patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Croatia / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Fungemia / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pichia / drug effects
  • Pichia / isolation & purification*
  • Risk Factors