Outbreak of Candida tropicalis Fungemia in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

The risk of fungemia in this outbreak can be attributed to a larger number of antibiotics and a longer period of TPN administered to the patients. Analysis of events suggests that the outbreak may have been the result of cross-infection between staff and patients.

An outbreak of candidemia due to Candida tropicalis in a neonatal intensive care unit

“…Candida tropicalis , an important colonizing fungus, has become a leading pathogen among non‐ albicans Candida species causing blood stream infections 18,19 . Most infants with candidemia in the present investigation had certain risk factors, namely prematurity, LBW, prolonged hyperalimentation and broad‐spectrum antibiotic therapy as reported in other studies 20 .…”

Risk factors for Candida infections in a neonatal intensive care unit in Costa Rica

“…However, C. tropicalis has not been thoroughly studied and could potentially play an important role in nosocomial infections. 20,21 Few patients had candidemia by species other than C. albicans; however, mortality was higher in newborns infected with C. albicans. Even though Candida vaginitis occurs in 20-30% of pregnancies, it does not usually produce obstetric complications.…”

Review of 49 Neonates With Acquired Fungal Sepsis: Further Characterization

“…34 The reduction in mortality that was achieved had its own price, ie, overtreatment with empiric amphotericin B in some neonates suspected of having AFS, who did not eventually prove to have AFS. When this remarkable reduction in mortality, achieved by our policy of empirical therapy, is weighed against the risk of increased complications of amphotericin B, our therapeutic approach proved to be worthy.…”