Candida tropicalis fungaemia in adult patients with haematological malignancies: Clinical features and risk factors

A. Y.H. Leung, C. S. Chim, P. L. Ho, C. C. Cheng, K. Y. Yuen, A. K.W. Lie, W. Y. Au, R. Liang, Y. L. Kwong

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42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Candida tropicalis fungaemia is a serious opportunistic infection. Eighteen consecutive patients with C. tropicalis fungaemia diagnosed within a five-year period were studied retrospectively. All patients had haematological malignancies treated by chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Antifungal prophylaxis included nystatin (20 mg daily) for patients receiving chemotherapy, and fluconazole (200 mg daily) for patients undergoing BMT. Sixteen patients had refractory and advanced haematological malignancies. All patients were neutropenic, had central venous catheters, and were receiving treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics at the time of fungaemia. Septic shock with skin emboli were the most common presenting features. In seven cases, fungaemia was preceded by a positive culture of C. tropicalis in the urine. Concomitant bacteraemia was found in 11 cases, of which six cases were due to Staphylococcus aureus. The overall mortality rate was 56%. The predominance of chemotherapy-treated patients developing fungaemia in this series might be attributable to the omission of fluconazole prophylaxis. The clinicopathologic features and risk factors identified in this study may help design better treatment strategies for this often-lethal complication.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)316-319
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Hospital Infection
Volume50
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Keywords

  • Candida tropicalis fungaemia
  • Haematological malignancies

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