Treatment of candidemia in a nationwide setting: increased survival with primary echinocandin treatment

Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei): A systematic review to inform the World Health Organisation priority list of fungal pathogens

In response to the growing global threat of fungal infections, in 2020 the World Health Organisation (WHO) established an Expert Group to identify priority fungi and develop the first WHO fungal priority pathogen list (FPPL). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the features and global impact of invasive infections caused by Pichia kudriavzevii (formerly known as Candida krusei). PubMed and Web of Science were used to identify studies published between 1 January 2011 and 18 February 2021 reporting on the criteria of mortality, morbidity (defined as hospitalisation and length of stay), drug resistance, preventability, yearly incidence, and distribution/emergence. Overall, 33 studies were evaluated. Mortality rates of up to 67% in adults were reported. Despite the intrinsic resistance of P. kudriavzevii to fluconazole with decreased susceptibility to amphotericin B, resistance (or non-wild-type rate) to other azoles and echinocandins was low, ranging between 0 and 5%. Risk factors for developing P. kudriavzevii infections included low birth weight, prior use of antibiotics/antifungals, and an underlying diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease or cancer. The incidence of infections caused by P. kudriavzevii is generally low (∼5% of all Candida-like blood isolates) and stable over the 10-year timeframe, although additional surveillance data are needed. Strategies targeting the identified risk factors for developing P. kudriavzevii infections should be developed and tested for effectiveness and feasibility of implementation. Studies presenting data on epidemiology and susceptibility of P. kudriavzevii were scarce, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, global surveillance systems are required to monitor the incidence, susceptibility, and morbidity of P. kudriavzevii invasive infections to inform diagnosis and treatment. Timely species-level identification and susceptibility testing should be conducted to reduce the high mortality and limit the spread of P. kudriavzevii in healthcare facilities.

Rapid identification,fluconazole and micafungin susceptibility testing of Candida species from blood culture by a short incubation method

This study aimed to develop and validate a rapid method for identification by MALDI-TOF system and determination of the susceptibility to Fluconazole and Micafungin by broth microdilution among Candidaspecies causing bloodstream infections. Subcultures from blood culture bottles were incubated for 5 hours (+/- 1h) and used to perform the tests, so that the turnaround time of rapid identification and susceptibility profile was about 5 and 24 hours, respectively. The rapid identification showed agreement of 92.05 %. Regarding the rapid broth microdilution for Fluconazole and Micafungin, the agreement was 97.06 % (p<0.001) and 100 % (p<0.001), and the Kappa coefficient was 0.91 (p<0.001) and 1.0 (p<0.001), respectively. To conclude, both rapid methods showed to be reproducible, inexpensive, easy to perform and time-saving. Thus, these methodologies could be useful to guide and adjust empirical antifungal therapy.

Candida parapsilosis complex in the clinical setting

Representatives of the Candida parapsilosis complex are important yeast species causing human infections, including candidaemia as one of the leading diseases. This complex comprises C. parapsilosis, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis, and causes a wide range of clinical presentations from colonization to superficial and disseminated infections with a high prevalence in preterm-born infants and the potential to cause outbreaks in hospital settings. Compared with other Candida species, the C. parapsilosis complex shows high minimal inhibitory concentrations for echinocandin drugs due to a naturally occurring FKS1 polymorphism. The emergence of clonal outbreaks of strains with resistance to commonly used antifungals, such as fluconazole, is causing concern. In this Review, we present the latest medical data covering epidemiology, diagnosis, resistance and current treatment approaches for the C. parapsilosis complex. We describe its main clinical manifestations in adults and children and highlight new treatment options. We compare the three sister species, examining key elements of microbiology and clinical characteristics, including the population at risk, disease manifestation and colonization status. Finally, we provide a comprehensive resource for clinicians and researchers focusing on Candida species infections and the C. parapsilosis complex, aiming to bridge the emerging translational knowledge and future therapeutic challenges associated with this human pathogen.

Antifungal therapy in the management of fungal secondary infections in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

The prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients and efficacy of antifungal therapy used in such patients is still unknown. Hence, we conducted this study to find the prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients and patient outcomes in terms of recovery or all-cause mortality following antifungal therapy (AFT) in such patients.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed^®, Scopus^®, Web of Sciences^™, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrial.gov, MedRxiv.org, bioRxiv.org, and Google scholar to identify the literature that used antifungal therapy for the management fungal secondary infections in COVID-19 patients. We included case reports, case series, prospective & retrospective studies, and clinical trials. Mantel Haenszel random-effect model was used for estimating pooled risk ratio for required outcomes.

Results

A total of 33 case reports, 3 case series, and 21 cohort studies were selected for final data extraction and analysis. The prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients was 28.2%. Azoles were the most commonly (65.1%) prescribed AFT. Study shows that high survival frequency among patients using AFT, received combination AFT and AFT used for >28 days. The meta-analysis showed, no significant difference in all-cause mortality between patients who received AFT and without AFT (p = 0.17), between types of AFT (p = 0.85) and the duration of AFT (p = 0.67).

Conclusion

The prevalence of fungal secondary infections among COVID-19 patients was 28.2%. The survival frequency was high among patients who used AFT for fungal secondary infections, received combination AFT and AFT used for >28 days. However, meta-analysis results found that all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients with fungal secondary infections is not significantly associated with type and duration of AFT, mostly due to presence of confounding factors such as small number of events, delay in diagnosis of fungal secondary infections, presence of other co-infections and multiple comorbidities.

Intensive Care Antifungal Stewardship Programme Based on T2Candida PCR and Candida Mannan Antigen: A Prospective Study

Non-culture-based biomarkers may improve diagnosis and antifungal treatment (AFT) of invasive candidiasis (IC). We evaluated an antifungal stewardship programme (AFSP) in a prospective intensive care unit (ICU) study, which included T2Candida and Candida mannan antigen (MAg) screening of patients with sepsis and a high risk of IC. Patients with non-neutropenic sepsis and a high risk of IC from two large tertiary ICUs were prospectively included, during a one-year period. IC was classified as proven, likely, possible or unlikely. The AFSP, diagnostic values of T2Candida and MAg, and the consumption of antifungals were evaluated. An amount of 219 patients with 504 T2Candida/MAg samples were included. IC was classified as proven in 29 (13.2%), likely in 7 (3.2%) and possible in 10 (5.5%) patients. Sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV values, comparing proven/likely versus unlikely IC, were 47%/100%/94%/90% for BC alone, 50%/97%/75%/90% for T2Candida alone, and 39%/96%/67%/88% for MAg alone. For the combination of T2Candida/MAg taken ≤3 days after AFT initiation, sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV was 70%/90%/63%/93%. T2Candida/MAg contributed to early (<3 days) AFT initiation in 13%, early AFT discontinuation in 25% and abstaining from AFT in 24% of patients. No reduction in overall use of AFT during the study period compared with the previous year was observed. An AFSP based on T2Candida and MAg screening contributed to a reduction of unnecessary treatment, but not overall AFT use. The diagnostic performance of T2Candida was lower than previously reported, but increased if T2Candida was combined with MAg.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of Candidemia in eight medical centers in the state of Parana, Brazil: Parana Candidemia Network

Objectives

Candida spp. has been reported as one of the common agents of nosocomial bloodstream infections and is associated with a high mortality. Therefore, this study evaluated the clinical findings, local epidemiology, and microbiological aspects of candidemia in eight tertiary medical centers in the state of Parana, South of Brazil.

Methods

In this study, we reported 100 episodes of candidemia in patients admitted to eight different hospitals in five cities of the state of Parana, Brazil, using data collected locally (2016 and 2017) and tabulated online.

Results

The incidence was found to be 2.7 / 1000 patients / day and 1.2 / 1000 admissions. C. albicans was responsible for 49% of all candidemia episodes. Cancer and surgery were the two most common underlying conditions associated with candidemia. The mortality rate within 30 days was 48%, and removal of the central venous catheter (p = 0.029) as well as empirical or prophylactic exposure to antifungals were both related to improved survival (p = 0.033).

Conclusions

This study highlights the high burden and mortality rates of candidemia in hospitals from Parana as well as the need to enhance antifungal stewardship program in the enrolled medical centers.

Efficacy of humanized single large doses of caspofungin on the lethality and fungal tissue burden in a deeply neutropenic murine model against Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis

Background

Echinocandins are the first-line therapy for treatment of invasive Candida infections, but the mortality rate remains high, calling for novel strategies. Giving single larger echinocandin doses infrequently is an alternative regimen. Our aim was to test this novel approach in a neutropenic murine model.

Materials and methods

We compared the in vivo efficacy of single 10 and 40 mg/kg of caspofungin (2.5× and 10× the normal humanized dose) to that of the same cumulative doses of daily 2 and 8 mg/kg doses for 5 days against 2 each of wild-type C. albicans and C. dubliniensis as well as echinocandin resistant C. albicans. As a comparator, we tested daily 1 mg/kg amphotericin B.

Results

In lethality experiments, all caspofungin and amphotericin B regimens improved survival against wild-type C. albicans and C. dubliniensis clinical isolates (P<0.0001) and decreased the mean fungal kidney burdens of both species compared to controls. However, fungal kidney burden decreases were not always statistically significant, especially with single 10 or 40 mg/kg caspofungin doses. Amphotericin B was the least active drug against wild-type C. albicans. Against echinocandin-resistant strains, monodose 40 mg/kg caspofungin and 1 mg/kg of daily amphotericin B were effective in lethality experiments. Although, significant kidney CFU decreases were never found, except for amphotericin B against one of the isolates (p<0.05 at day 3 and p<0.001 at day 6).

Conclusion

Single 40 mg/kg caspofungin and 1 mg/kg amphotericin B proved to be effective in the lethality experiments against wild-type and echinocandin-resistant C. albicans and wild-type C. dubliniensis. This was not always shown regarding fungal tissue burdens. Single caspofungin doses used in mice in this study are attainable in humans as well, suggesting a potential place of this dosing strategy not only in prevention but also in curative treatment of evolved invasive Candida infections.

The impact of age on risk assessment, therapeutic practice and outcome in candidemia

BACKGROUND

In Norway, the epidemiological situation of candidemia is followed closely. We have previously demonstrated the highest incidence of candidemia in elderly >65 years of age. However, knowledge of other aspects of this infection is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this nationwide, retrospective study was to examine risk factors, therapeutic practice and outcome in adult candidemia patients according to age.

METHODS

We retrieved data from medical records from patients who developed candidemia in Norway between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012. Data were analyzed according to age, younger patients being between 18 and 65 years, elderly being ≥65 years of age.

RESULTS

From 771 eligible patients, 738 patients (95.7%) were included (58% men, mean age 65.2 years, 58.1% being ≥65 years). Exposure to health-care related risk factors for candidemia were significantly more common in the younger patients (neutropenia, central venous catheter, mechanical ventilation and chemotherapy) who received empirical treatment more often than the elderly (29.8% vs. 21.7%, p = .01). More elderly did not received any antifungal therapy (27.3% vs 16.8%, p < 0001) and had higher mortality compared to younger patients (45.5% vs 23.9%, p < .0001). In the study population, mortality was higher with age (per 10-years increase, OR 1.43;1.28-1.59, p < 0.0001), in patients not receiving targeted therapy (OR 2.5; CI 1.82-3.36, p < .0001) or any therapy at all (OR 4.64; 3.23-6.68, p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for candidemia, treatment and outcome differed significantly according to age. Given the increasing numbers of elderly, scrutiny on our clinical practice is warranted.