Genitourinary fungal infections: a therapeutic conundrum

Beyond the acute phase: a comprehensive literature review of long-term sequelae resulting from infectious diseases

Infectious diseases have consistently served as pivotal influences on numerous civilizations, inducing morbidity, mortality, and consequently redirecting the course of history. Their impact extends far beyond the acute phase, characterized by the majority of symptom presentations, to a multitude of adverse events and sequelae that follow viral, parasitic, fungal, or bacterial infections. In this context, myriad sequelae related to various infectious diseases have been identified, spanning short to long-term durations. Although these sequelae are known to affect thousands of individuals individually, a comprehensive evaluation of all potential long-term effects of infectious diseases has yet to be undertaken. We present a comprehensive literature review delineating the primary sequelae attributable to major infectious diseases, categorized by systems, symptoms, and duration. This compilation serves as a crucial resource, illuminating the long-term ramifications of infectious diseases for healthcare professionals worldwide. Moreover, this review highlights the substantial burden that these sequelae impose on global health and economies, a facet often overshadowed by the predominant focus on the acute phase. Patients are frequently discharged following the resolution of the acute phase, with minimal long-term follow-up to comprehend and address potential sequelae. This emphasizes the pressing need for sustained vigilance, thorough patient monitoring, strategic health management, and rigorous research to understand and mitigate the lasting economic and health impacts of infectious diseases more fully.

Approach of clinicians to candiduria and related outcome in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

Candiduria is increasingly frequent in hospitalized debilitated patients. We aimed to evaluate the approach of clinicians to candiduria in the oldest old, and its effect on clearance and mortality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An observational study without intervention was carried out during 2012 and 2013 in three Spanish hospitals over patients with nosocomial candiduria aged 80 and over. Following a diagnostic algorithm, we assessed the appropriateness of antifungal therapy and analyzed the impact of the clinical approach (antifungal therapy, antibiotics discontinuation and catheter removal or replacement) on the outcome (mortality at 60 days and resolution, persistence or recurrence of candiduria).

RESULTS

Hundred and forty eight patients were included. Symptomatology was attributable to candiduria in 31 instances and 19 asymptomatic patients were found at risk of developing candidemia. In response to culture-results, 77 (52%) of patients were treated with antifungals, mainly fluconazole (97.4%). The use of pharmacological therapy was appropriate (P<0.05) but subtherapeutical doses of fluconazole were widely used and follow-up samples were scarcely submitted. At 60 days of diagnosis the mortality was high (29.7%). The replacement or removal of the catheter resulted in a decrease in mortality and the use of antifungal treatment was associated with recurrence (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of clinical practice guidelines with enough evidence, our study suggests that catheter removal should always be tried in the elderly with candiduria, since it reduces the mortality. The repetition of culture should help to better characterize the asymptomatic episodes, which are predominant, and to reduce the use of antifungals.

Candiduria: Evidence-based approach to management, are we there yet?

Candiduria is considered one of the most controversial issues in patient management. Neither the diagnosis nor the optimal treatment options are standardized. This is further complicated by lack of defined laboratory criteria for diagnosis as most of the studies were set for bacterial rather than fungal urinary tract infection (UTI). Furthermore, since Candida species is a known commensal of the genitourinary tract its presence in the urine sample adds ambiguity to making a definitive diagnosis of candidal UTI. Guidelines for diagnosis and management of candiduria have changed considerably over the past decades. In 1960s, the condition was believed to be benign with no intervention required. However, over the years new dimensions were added to address the issues associated with candiduria until the latest Infectious Diseases Association of America (IDSA) guidelines were published in 2009, which indicated that there was an increase in the incidence of candiduria caused by more resistant non-Candida albicans species. Further complicating the issue is the observation that candiduria may be the only indicator of a more serious invasive candidiasis, especially in immunocompromised patients. Long-term urinary catheterization is considered to be the most significant risk factor for candiduria followed by antibiotic use and diabetes. Strategies for management are based on the evaluation of candiduria in the context of the clinical setting to determine its relevance and make an appropriate decision about the need for antifungal therapy. Fluconazole is the main drug used for its efficacy and least complications. Other options include bladder irrigation with amphotericin B, flucytosine or parenteral amphotericin B. Since azoles other than fluconazole and all echinocandins are poorly excreted in urine they have been found to be less effective in candiduric patients.

Treatment of Fungal Urinary Tract Infection

Funguria, and particularly candiduria, is an increasingly common problem encountered by the practicing urologist and is associated with high-acuity care, indwelling catheters, diabetes mellitus, antibiotic and steroid use, and urinary tract disease. In most cases, candiduria is asymptomatic and follows a benign clinical course with antifungal therapy only required in symptomatic or high-risk cases, because spontaneous resolution is common in patients with asymptomatic colonization. Rarely, invasive infections can occur (such as fungus balls or renal abscesses) and may require percutaneous and endoscopic interventions. This article highlights the workup and treatment of funguria and its related urologic manifestations.

Candida urinary tract infections--treatment

In many instances a report from the clinical laboratory indicating candiduria represents colonization or procurement contamination of the specimen and not invasive candidiasis. Even if infection of the urinary tract by Candida species can be confirmed, antifungal therapy is not always warranted. Further investigation may reveal predisposing factors, which if corrected or treated, result in the resolution of the infection. For those with symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs), the choice of antifungal agent will depend upon the clinical status of the patient, the site of infection, and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the agent. Because of its safety, achievement of high concentrations in the urine, and availability in both an oral and intravenous formulation, fluconazole is preferred for the treatment of Candida UTIs. Flucytosine is concentrated in urine and has broad activity against Candida spp, but its use requires caution because of toxicity. Low-dose amphotericin B may be useful for Candida UTIs in selected patients. The role of echinocandins and azoles that do not achieve measurable concentrations in the urine is not clear. Small case series note some success, but failures have also occurred. Irrigation of the bladder with antifungal agents has limited utility. However, with fungus balls, irrigation of the renal pelvis through a nephrostomy tube can be useful in combination with systemic antifungal agents.

Candida tropicalis in human disease

Candida tropicalis is one of the more common Candida causing human disease in tropical countries; the frequency of invasive disease varies by geography causing 3--66% of candidaemia. C. tropicalis is taxonomically close to C. albicans and shares many pathogenic traits. C. tropicalis is particularly virulent in neutropenic hosts commonly with hematogenous seeding to peripheral organs. For candidaemia and invasive candidiasis amphotericin B or an echinocandin are recommended as first-line treatment, with extended-spectrum triazoles acceptable alternatives. Primary fluconazole resistance is uncommon but may be induced on exposure. Physicians in regions where C. tropicalis is common need to be mindful of this lesser-described pathogen.

Management of Candida infections in the adult intensive care unit

The epidemiology of Candida infection in intensive care units (ICUs) and the management strategies for such infections in non-neutropenic intensive care patients are discussed in this review. Candida species are one of the leading causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections and a significant cause of morbidity in patients admitted to the ICU. Prophylactic, pre-emptive and empiric treatment strategies for Candida infections have been explored in ICU patients. Routine prophylaxis should not be administered to the whole population of ICU patients, because the concerns about the selection of azole-resistant Candida strains or the induction of resistance are justified. Treatment of fungal infections is now possible with newer antifungal agents, including newer azoles (e.g., voriconazole, posaconazole) and echinocandins (e.g., micafungin, anidulafungin). However, there is a critical need for improvement in diagnosis of invasive Candida infection in order to provide clinicians the opportunity to intervene earlier in the diseases course.

Cryptococcosis

A case of cryptococcosis is presented in this review: its prostatic localization is considered to be extremely unusual.

The relevant diagnostic course and therapeutic treatment are discussed, taking into account the fact that this mycotic infectious disease occurs in immunodepressed subjects.

Fungal causes of otitis externa and tympanostomy tube otorrhea

OBJECTIVE

To describe the occurrence of fungal organisms in the setting of otitis externa and tympanostomy tube otorrhea, review the treatment course, timing of diagnosis, organism identified and time to resolution with fungal infections.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Pediatric otolaryngology clinic within a tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

One hundred and sixty-six patients (ages 16 days to 18 years) with fungal organisms on ear culture.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Number of prior therapies, number of office visits, time to resolution and anti-fungal therapy.

RESULTS

Ear cultures positive for fungal organisms were found in 166 patients seen between 1 January 1996 and 30 September 2003 from a total of 1242 patients undergoing ear culture. Comparing the 3-year period (1996-1998) prior to the availability of fluoroquinolone ototopical drops to the 3-year period after (1999-2001), there is a statistically significant increase in the incidence of positive fungal culture (p<0.001). Otitis media was diagnosed in 72% of these children, with otitis externa comprising 25%. Approximately 3% carried a diagnosis of both otitis externa and otitis media. Candida albicans was identified in 43% of fungal organism-positive cultures. Candida parapsilosis was found in 24% of and Aspergillus fumigatus in 13%. The remainder of the cultures yielded three other Candida and three other Aspergillus species, each at less than 5%. Time to resolution ranged from 1 week to 9 months, with a median of 3.8 weeks for symptom resolution. Patients were treated with an average of 1.7 oral antibiotics and 1.1 ototopical agent before a culture was taken.

CONCLUSIONS

Otorrhea due to fungal organisms occurs in the setting of refractory infection and is often discovered after multiple oral and ototopical antibacterial medications. Due to the extended treatment period required to clear fungal organism, timely diagnosis with culture for bacteria and fungus is required in patients with persistent otorrhea. An increase in incidence of fungal infections of the ear was found in the period after widespread use of ofloxacin began.

Gold standard medical therapy for glaucoma: defining the criteria identifying measures for an evidence-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, several new medical therapies have become available for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A systematic evidence-based approach for identifying an optimal therapeutic agent is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this review were to critically evaluate published treatment recommendations for POAG and, based on a systematic review of the literature, to develop criteria that would define a "gold standard" medical therapy that reflects new treatment advances and established therapeutic goals.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search spanning the years 1966 to 2002 and using the search terms gold standard, drug of choice, agent of choice, benchmark, ophthalmology, eye, and glaucoma was conducted and the results reviewed by a panel of 15 experts in the field of glaucoma. Published treatment recommendations for POAG were discussed. Criteria, anchored to medical evidence, for distinguishing a standard of medical therapy for POAG were defined.

RESULTS

The terms connoting a gold standard therapy were found in only 258 of approximately 368,000 ophthalmology-related citations and 53 of almost 23,000 glaucoma citations, validating the need to define therapeutic standards. The lack of recommendations for the use of new classes of ocular hypotensive agents was acknowledged. Criteria identified to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering agents as gold standards included the following: efficacy in reducing IOP consistently over a 24-hour period to a level that will preserve the visual field and protect the optic nerve without inducing tachyphylaxis and tolerance, paucity of local and systemic adverse effects, promotion of patient compliance, and applicability in diverse patient populations.

CONCLUSIONS

These criteria should be employed as measures for evidence-based analyses to evaluate available and future IOP-lowering medical therapies for POAG. The conceptual framework presented may be applicable to other therapeutic areas.