Candidemia in a Brazilian tertiary hospital: microbiological and clinical features over a six-year period

Mondelli AL (1), Niéro-Melo L (1), Bagagli E (2), Camargo CH (2), Bruder-Nascimento A (2), Sugizaki MF (2), Carneiro MV (1), Villas Boas PJF (1)

(1) Department of Internal Medicine, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Yeasts are becoming a common cause of nosocomial fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Such infections often develop into sepsis with high mortality rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate some of the numerous factors associated with the development of candidemia. Medical records were retrospectively analyzed of 98 Candida spp. patients. Results showed that the most prevalent risk factors for developing candidemia were: antibiotics and antifungal agents (93.9% and 79.6%, respectively); the use of central venous catheter (93.9%); mechanical ventilation (73.5%); and parenteral nutrition (60.2%). The main species of Candida found were: C. parapsilosis (37.76%), C. albicans (33.67%); and others (28.57%). C. glabrata showed the highest mortality rate (75%), followed by C. tropicalis (57.1%) and C. albicans (54.5%). The elevated mortality rate found in this study indicates that preventive measures against candidemia must be emphasized in hospitals.

Key words: candidemia, mortality, associated factors, Candida albicans.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by FAMESP; the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of Botucatu Medical School University Hospital; and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology of Botucatu Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Mondelli AL, et al. Candidemia in a Brazilian tertiary hospital: microbiological and clinical features over a six-year period J Venom Anim Toxins incl Trop Dis | 2012 | volume 18 | issue 2 251

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: January 20, 2012.

Accepted: March 5, 2012.

Abstract published online: March 6, 2012.

Full paper published online: May 31, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The Medical and Hospital Development Foundation (FAMESP) of São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, under protocol number 490/2006-CEP.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Alessandro Lia Mondelli, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, s/n, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Tel: +55 143811 6213. Email: dralessandro@hotmail.com or alessandro@fmb.unesp.br.