Emerging issue of fluconazole-resistant candidemia in a tertiary care hospital of southern italy: time for antifungal stewardship program

An increased number of patients is at risk of Candida spp. bloodstream infection (CBSI) in modern medicine. Moreover, the rising of antifungal resistance (AR) was recently reported. All consecutive CBSI occurred in our Hospital (consisting of 1,370 beds) between 2015 and 2018, were reviewed. For each case, Candida species, AR pattern, ward involved and demographic data of patients were recorded. Overall, 304 episodes of CBSI occurred, with a median (q1:first-,q3:third quartile) of 77 (71-82) CBSI/year. Over the years, a significant increase of CBSI due to C. albicans compared to non-albicans strains was recorded in medical wards (from 65% to 71%, p=0.030), while this ratio remained stable in others. An increase of resistant strains to multiple antifungals such as C. guillermondii was noticed in recent years (from 0% to 9.8%, p=0.008). Additionally, from 2015 to 2018 an increase in fluconazole-resistance was recorded in our Hospital (from 7.4% to 17.4%, p=0.025) and a slight increase in voriconazole-resistance (from 0% to 7% in 2018, p=0.161) was observed, while resistance to echinocandin and amphotericin B remained firmly below 2%.This study suggests a rapid spread of antifungal resistance in our Hospital; therefore, an appropriate antifungal stewardship programs is urgently warranted.     

Characterisation of candidemia in patients with recent surgery: A 7‐year experience

Candidemia can complicate major surgical procedures. However, literature data are scanty on this topic. In this study, we evaluated the epidemiology, clinical and microbiologic characteristics and outcome of candidemia in adult patients with recent surgery hospitalised in a single University Hospital in Central Italy from 2010 to 2016. Of the 304 episodes of candidemia, 160 (53%) occurred in surgical patients (SPs) while the remaining 144 (47%) in patients without history of recent surgery (non‐SPs). Although either underlying chronic comorbidities (ie haematological malignancies, neurological and gastrointestinal diseases) or acute complications (ie pneumonia and septic shock) were less likely to occur in SPs than in non‐SPs, 30‐day mortality did not differ between groups being 38% and 42%, respectively. The specific risk factors significantly more common in SPs who died within 30 days were as follows: male gender, older age, being hospitalised in ICU rather than in other wards, having a higher Charlson's score, undergoing previous invasive procedures, haemodialysis, the presence of pneumonia, septic shock, acute kidney failure and the type of surgery. In particular, either gastrointestinal or cardiovascular surgeries were characterised by the highest mortality rates. Multivariate analysis showed that the occurrence of septic shock (HR 10.3131 [CI95% 1.176‐90.466; P = .035] and ICU stay (HR 2.016 [CI95% 1.178‐3.448; P = .011] was independently associated with higher mortality in SPs. Overall, these data show that candidemia in SPs is characterised by significant mortality and distinctive features.     

Ocular Involvement in Patients with Fungemia in an Urban Tertiary Care Center

Purpose: To illustrate the rate of endogenous endophthalmitis associated with fungemia and evaluate the importance of screening in a public city hospital.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on all inpatient ophthalmology consults for fungemia from 2010 to 2015. Clinical histories, ocular examinations, and microbial cultures were reviewed.

Results: Of 95 patients (mean age 51.6 years, 75% male) with fungemia, 9/95 (9.5%) demonstrated intraocular involvement. Of these nine patients, two were unable to participate in the ophthalmic exam due to intubation, while the remaining seven reported no changes in their vision. Two patients had their antifungal medications adjusted to optimize intraocular penetration and one patient progressed to develop vitreous involvement but died before further escalation of care occurred.

Conclusion: All involved individuals in this study were either non-communicative or without visual complaints. This suggests that routine screening should still be recommended, especially in a public hospital setting.     

光滑念珠菌生物膜形成机制及其抗性研究

光滑念珠菌是亚洲第三或第四种最常见的侵袭性念珠菌病的病原体，占念珠菌血流感染的29%，其形成生物膜的能力被认为是最重要的毒力因子之一。光滑念珠菌生物膜的形成与医院感染的发病率和病死率高度相关。但是，对光滑念珠菌生物膜的研究少且分散。为此，本文将从环境因素、基因调控、抗性和抗性机制等多方面对光滑念珠菌生物膜进行综述。     

Culture-Proven Candida Albicans Endogenous Endophthalmitis in a Patient with Onychomycosis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To report a case of Candida albicans endogenous endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent patient with onychomycosis.

Methods: Retrospective case report.

Results: A 40-year-old man with onychomycosis presented with C. albicans subretinal abscess in the left eye. Systemic and intravitreal injections did not prevent further progression of the infection. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy. One month after surgery, the intraocular inflammation gradually subsided. However, his visual acuity stayed at counting fingers as a result of macular scarring.

Conclusion: The aim of this case presentation is to emphasize that endogenous fungal endophthalmitis can be seen in an immunocompetent patient. The use of systemic steroids in the past was the main reason for the progression of the disease in this case. In these situations, when the clinical findings suggest a fungal etiology, it should keep in mind that endogenous candida endophthalmitis can be a result of fungal infections from distant sites such as the toenails and systemic steroids should not be started before definite diagnosis.     

光滑念珠菌血流感染20例临床分析

目的探讨光滑念珠菌血流感染的临床特点。方法收集苏州大学附属第一医院2004年1月-2017年12月确诊的光滑念珠菌血流感染20例,分析其临床表现、易感因素、治疗及预后。结果20例患者的平均年龄(67±15)岁;主要症状为发热(n=19,95.0%),未见其他特异性表现;大部分患者(n=19,95.0%)在就诊时存在至少1种基础疾病;入住重症监护室(ICU)者10例(50.0%),有侵袭性操作者19例(95.0%),应用广谱抗生素≥1周者16例(80.0%);确诊时急性生理与慢性健康状况评分(APACHEⅡ评分)(15.3±6.3)分、全身性感染相关性器官功能衰竭评分(sepsisrelated organ failure assessment,SOFA评分)(7.0±4.6)分;20例患者中治愈11例,死亡9例。结论高APACHEⅡ评分和SOFA评分与预后不良有关;对于年龄>60岁、长期使用广谱抗生素、入住ICU、合并有恶性肿瘤等基础疾病及各种侵袭性操作的患者,若出现发热时,应积极留取血培养,以便尽早明确诊断,开始有效的抗真菌治疗。