Epidemiology, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility and mortality risk factors of candidemia among critically ill patients: a retrospective study from 2011 to 2017 in a teaching hospital in China

Zengli Xiao,
Qi Wang,
Fengxue Zhu and
Youzhong AnEmail author

Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control20198:89

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-019-0534-2

Received: 20 January 2019
Accepted: 1 May 2019
Published: 29 May 2019

Abstract

Background

Candidemia is still a common life-threatening disease and causes significant morbidity and mortality, especially in critically ill patients. We conducted this study to analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility and mortality risk factors of candidemia in an intensive care unit.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with candidemia in the intensive care unit of our hospital from 2011 to 2017. The clinical characteristics, including clinical and laboratory data, antibiotic therapies, underlying conditions, and invasive procedures and outcomes, were analyzed. We also performed a logistic regression analysis to identify the independent risk factors for mortality.

Results

In this six-year retrospective study, we identified 82 patients with candidemia. The median age of the patients was 76 years (range, 26 years to 91 years), and 50 of the patients (61%) were male. Candida albicans was the most common fungal species (38/82, 46.3%), followed by Candida parapsilosis (16/82, 19.5%), Candida glabrata (13/82, 15.9%), and Candida tropicalis (12/82, 14.6%). Most isolates were susceptible to the antifungal agents. The all-cause mortality rate was 51.2%. In binary logistic regression analysis, the worst Glasgow coma score (GCS), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) within three days after admission were independent risk factors for mortality.

Conclusions

Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated fungal species. Most isolates were susceptible to the antifungal agents. The worst GCS score, P/F ratio, and MAP within three days after admission were independent risk factors for mortality due to candidemia in critically ill patients.