Candidemia incidence and susceptibility profile in a public hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Candidemia is the bloodstream infection caused by yeasts belonging to genus Candida. In addition, it is associated with increased mortality rates. Objective: The aim of the current study is to analyze the incidence of Candida spp and its antifungal-related susceptibility profile in positive blood cultures of patients hospitalized in a public health institution in Mato Grosso do Sul State. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive methodology based on data collected in the institution’s microbiology laboratory and in the medical records of patients hospitalized from November 2015 to November 2018. Results: Results have shown 135 candidemia episodes, which corresponded to 5.3% of cases. Candida albicans (isolated in 45 samples), Candida parapsilosis (33), Candida tropicalis (27) and Candida glabrata (22) were the most frequent findings. The highest candidemia incidence was recorded for the elderly population (58 cases) and among adult men (56) hospitalized in ICUs or receiving emergency care, with prevalence of C. albicans. Twenty-one (21) cases were identified among children, 80% of them were younger than 1 year; C. parapsilosis was the most frequent agent. Most Candida species have shown sensitivity to the tested antifungal agents, but some strains were resistant to some antifungal agents. All (100%) C. glabrata isolates were sensitive to antifungal agents and all Candida species were sensitive to micafungin. Conclusion: The study has shown the importance of identifying yeasts at species level, as well as of investigating their susceptibility patterns to enable the correct management of antifungal therapies in order to help reducing mortality rates attributed to this infection.