P1265 Candida blood stream infection in paediatric haematology oncology patients at a Saudi Arabian hospital and research centre

Document Type

Article

Department

Haematology/Oncology

Abstract

Background: Candida blood stream infections are the second most frequent isolates from blood cultures in hospital with large populations of immunocompromised patients.
Objectives: To study the trend of candida blood stream infection at KFSH&RC in the haematology oncology patients and to evaluate the risk factors, the response to antifungal therapy and the outcome of candidaemia in this patient population. Method: Retrospective chart review utilising the microbiology & Infection Control Data-Bases from Jan 1996 till Dec 2004.
Results: Total of 229 patients with positive blood for Candida spp. Seventy paediatric patients with haematology oncology disorders (30.5%), 57% are males and the majority in the age group 2−5 years (38.6%). Forty percent of candidaemia occur in patients with diagnosis of ALL which constitute the majority of our patients. Forty eight percent during induction phase of chemotherapy, the majority (68.6%) were neutropenic. Other risk factors like TPN recorded in 25.7% of the patients and 38.6% of them on greater than equal 3 antibiotics. 85% had central venous lines, which were removed in 80%. Dissemination of fungal infection occur in 38.6% of the patients and the mortality because of candidaemia alone is 2.9% and due to candidaemia and other causes is 8.6%.
Conclusion: Candida is not uncommon blood stream isolates in our patient population and Candida albicans is the common Candida species isolated, followed by C. tropicalis in paediatric patients with haematology oncology disorders. Previous hospitalisation is a risk factor for candidamia. Presence of CVL and prolonged use of broad spectrum antibiotics are major risk factor for candidaemia.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University

Publication (Name of Journal)

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

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