Candidemia in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective, Observational Survey and Analysis of Literature Data

Biomed Res Int. 2017:2017:7901763. doi: 10.1155/2017/7901763. Epub 2017 Aug 13.

Abstract

We evaluated the epidemiology of Candida bloodstream infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of an Italian university hospital during a 9-year period as a means of quantifying the burden of infection and identifying emerging trends. Clinical data were searched for in the microbiological laboratory database. For comparative purposes, we performed a review of NICU candidemia. Forty-one candidemia cases were reviewed (overall incidence, 3.0 per 100 admissions). Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto (58.5%) and C. albicans (34.1%) were the most common species recovered. A variable drift through years was observed; in 2015, 75% of the cases were caused by non-albicans species. The duration of NICU hospitalization of patients with non-albicans was significantly longer than in those with C. albicans (median days, 10 versus 12). Patients with non-albicans species were more likely to have parenteral nutrition than those with C. albicans (96.3% versus 71.4%). Candida albicans was the dominant species in Europe and America (median, 55% and 60%; resp.); non-albicans species predominate in Asia (75%). Significant geographic variation is evident among cases of candidemia in different parts of the world, recognizing the importance of epidemiological data to facilitate the treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida albicans / classification
  • Candida albicans / isolation & purification
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity*
  • Candida parapsilosis / classification
  • Candida parapsilosis / isolation & purification
  • Candida parapsilosis / pathogenicity*
  • Candidemia / drug therapy
  • Candidemia / epidemiology*
  • Candidemia / microbiology
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents