8. Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The prevalence and clinical significance of persistent candidemia among neonates are poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the rate and the clinical relevance of persistent candidemia over a 4-year period in Kuwait.

METHODS:

A retrospective chart review of infants admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit of the Maternity Hospital in Kuwait between January 2007 and December 2010, who had a positive blood culture for Candida species, was conducted. Persistent candidemia was defined as the isolation of the same Candida species more than 6 days after the initiation of antifungal therapy, or death due to candidemia within 6 days of antifungal treatment. Stepwise logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with persistent candidemia.

RESULTS:

Of 89 neonates with a Candida infection, 54 (60.7%, 95% confidence interval 49.7-70.9%) had persistent candidemia. The case-fatality rate was 54% among those with persistent candidemia and 3% among those with non-persistent candidemia (p<0.001). Neonates with persistent candidemia were more likely to be female, have a central vascular catheter at diagnosis, and have a low platelet count. All isolated Candida species were susceptible to antifungal agents.

CONCLUSIONS:

Persistent candidemia is common among neonates with a Candida infection and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Drug resistance is unlikely to explain the persistent candidemia; host-related factors seem to be more important and hence could be used to identify those at risk in order to institute appropriate preventive and treatment measures.

PMID: 23276488

9. Abstract

Invasive fungal infections due to Candida are the third most common late-onset infection in infants born with birth weight <1500 g. Invasive candidiasisin infants born with birth weight <1000 g is associated with a 30% mortality and with neurodevelopmental impairment in more than half the survivors. A high degree of suspicion and a thorough multisystem evaluation is necessary for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections and to detect complications or sequalae. Amphotericin B deoxycholate is the mainstay in the treatment of invasive fungal infections in newborns. Early initiation of enteral feeds with human milk, decreasing dependence on catheters and avoidance of antacids, steroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics are the recommended preventive measures. Fluconazole prophylaxis should be targeted towards neonates born with <1000 g in neonatal units where baseline rates of invasive candidiasis are more than 5%.

PMID: 23829639

10. Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate prevalence of invasive candidiasis in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and to evaluate oral diseases and Candida spp. colonization in low birth weight preterm newborns.

METHODS:

A descriptive epidemiological study performed in two stages. First, prevalence of candidiasis was analyzed in a database of 295 preterm patients admitted to hospital for over 10 days and birth weight less than 2,000g. In the second stage, oral changes and Candida spp. colonization were assessed in 65 patients weighing less than 2,000g, up to 4 week-old, hospitalized for over 10 days and presenting oral abnormalities compatible with fungal lesions. Swab samples were collected in the mouth to identify fungi.

RESULTS:

Prevalence of candidiasis was 5.4% in the database analyzed. It correlated with prolonged hospital length of stay (p<0.001), in average, 31 days, and 85% risk of developing infection in the first 25 days. It correlated with low birth weight (p<0.001), with mean of 1,140g. The most frequent alterations were white soft plaques, detachable, in oral mucosa and tongue. Intense oral colonization by Candida spp was observed (80%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The frequency of invasive candidiasis was low and correlated with low birth weight and prolonged hospital stay. The most common oral changes were white plaques compatible with pseudomembranous candidiasis and colonization by Candida spp. was above average.

PMID: 23579747