In recent years, a clear increase has been observed in the incidence of nosocomial fungal infections.
The aim of this study is to assess the candida species, treatment approaches and outcomes of candida infections were identified in the pediatric intensive care unit.
The study was performed from March 2018-March 2019 in a 14-bed tertiary pediatric intensive care in a city hospital. The patients with invasive candidiasis were detected from microbiology laboratary records and medical records were examined retrospectively.
Within one year, a total of 176 patients were treated in the intensive care unit. Of these patients, 28 (15.7%) had candida isolated species . The most common isolated species was C. albicans in 35.7%. Among non-albican species, C. tropicalis was most commonly isolated in 25%, followed by C. parapsilosis observed in 10.7%.
In 5 patients, antifungal treatment was not started because of no systemic findings.
Mortality occurred in 6 of these patients (21%). In 5 patients, the cause of mortality was considered to be candida sepsis. There was no correlation identified between candida species and mortality.
Some of the Candida species were observed to be resistant to fluconazole, flucytosine and caspofungin. Proliferation in patients with mortal progression were resistant species. However, all candida species were susceptible to micafungin.
In this study, duration of intensive care stay and invasive medical proocedures are associated with an increased risk of invasive candidiasis. Additionally, it is confirmed that micafungin is a more appropriate agent that can be chosen for administration of antifungal treatment.