Changing epidemiology of non-albicans candidemia in Korea

J Infect Chemother. 2019 May;25(5):388-391. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2018.09.016. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Abstract

An epidemiologic surveillance of non-albicans candidemia for a 6-year period was conducted in Korea. Compared to the published epidemiologic data for the previous 6 years, an increase of C. glabrata (from 21.3% to 28.5%) and a decrease of C. parapsilosis (from 36.5% to 24.7%) were noticed. During the study period, C. tropicalis (36.4%) was most frequently isolated non-albicans Candida, followed by C. glabrata (28.5%), C. parapsilosis (24.7%), and C. krusei (2.6%). Replacement of primary amphotericin B treatment with echinocandins (P < 0.001) eliminated amphotericin B resistance (from 7.8% in 2011 to 0% in 2014).

Keywords: Antifungal resistance; Candida glabrata; Candida parapsilosis; Epidemiology; non-albicans Candida.

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / pharmacology
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Candida / isolation & purification*
  • Candida / physiology
  • Candidemia / drug therapy
  • Candidemia / epidemiology*
  • Candidemia / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal / drug effects*
  • Echinocandins / pharmacology
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use
  • Epidemiological Monitoring*
  • Humans
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Amphotericin B