scholarly journals Species Distribution of Candidemia and Their Susceptibility in a Single Japanese University Hospital: Prior Micafungin Use Affects the Appearance of Candida parapsilosis and Elevation of Micafungin MICs in Non-parapsilosis Candida Species

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 596
Author(s):  
Yasutaka Sakamoto ◽  
Kazuhiro Kawabe ◽  
Tomoyo Suzuki ◽  
Kayoko Sano ◽  
Kazuo Ide ◽  
...  

Introduction: Micafungin is a recommended echinocandin antifungal agent for candidemia treatment and prophylaxis. However, overuse of echinocandin antifungals may cause resistance. There is currently no information available regarding the low susceptibility associated with using micafungin. This study investigated the effect of micafungin use on changes in the detected Candida species and low susceptibility. Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey and included records of Candida spp. detected in blood cultures from January 2010 to December 2018 in our hospital. Survey items included clinical outcomes at 30 days after positive cultures, patient characteristics, and drug prescription status. Patient background information included gender, previous hospitalization, stay in the intensive care unit, comorbidities, and history of surgery (within 90 days before candidemia onset) and drug exposure. Species detected and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and amount of antifungal prescriptions by department were investigated. Risk factors for detecting C. parapsilosis and for low susceptibility to micafungin were evaluated using multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 153 Candida clinical blood isolates were collected and C. albicans was the most prevalent species, followed by C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata. In the analysis by department, antifungal use and non-albicans Candida species were most frequently detected in the hematology department. Multivariate analysis showed that prior micafungin use increased the risk of C. parapsilosis (odds ratio (OR) 4.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–12.79; p = 0.011). MIC90 of micafungin on C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis was 1.0 μg/mL. Prior micafungin use was clarified as a risk factor resulting in MIC > 0.06 μg/mL for micafungin in non-parapsilosis Candida species (OR 13.2; 95% CI 3.23–54.2; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Prior micafungin use increased the risk of C. parapsilosis and the MIC > 0.06 μg/mL of micafungin in non-parapsilosis Candida species. Since there are only a few antifungal options, further antifungal stewardship considering azole antifungal agents use is required.

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (02.1) ◽  
pp. 33S
Author(s):  
Lyn Awad ◽  
Hani Tamim ◽  
Ahmad Ibrahim ◽  
Dania Abdallah ◽  
Mohammad Salameh ◽  
...  

Introduction: Recently there has been a significant increase in the incidence of fungal infections attributed to Candida species worldwide, with a major shift toward non-albicans Candida (NAC). Herein, we described the distribution of Candida species among different departments in a Lebanese hospital and calculated the antifungal consumption in this facility. We, then, correlated the consumption of antifungals and the prevalence of Candida species. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of Candida isolates recovered from the hospital microbiology laboratory database between 2010 and 2015. Data on antifungal consumption between 2008 and 2015 were extracted from the hospital pharmacy database. Spearman's coefficient was employed to find a correlation between Candida species distribution and antifungal consumption. Results: The highest antifungal consumption was seen in the haematology/oncology department (days of therapy/1000 patient days = 348.12 ± 85.41), and the lowest in the obstetrics department (1.36 ± 0.47). The difference in antifungal consumption among various departments was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Azoles were the most common first-line antifungals. A non-homologous distribution of albicans vs. non-albicans was noted among different departments (p = 0.02). The most commonly isolated NAC was Candida glabrata, representing 14% of total isolates and 59% of NAC. The total antifungal consumption correlated positively with the emergence of NAC. The use of azoles correlated positively with Candida glabrata, while amphotericin B formulations correlated negatively with it. None of these correlations reached statistical significance. Conclusion: Different Candida species were unequally distributed among different hospital departments, and this correlated with consumption of antifungals in respective departments, highlighting the need for antifungal stewardship.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Vallone ◽  
A Tamburrano ◽  
C Carrozza ◽  
A Urbani ◽  
A Cambieri ◽  
...  

Abstract Computerized Clinical Decision Support Systems (CCDSS) are information technology-based systems that use specific patient characteristics and combine them with rule-based algorithms. The aim of this study is to conduct a survey to measure and assess the over-utilization rates of laboratory requests and to estimate the monthly cost of inappropriate requests in inpatients of the “Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS” Care Units. This observational study is based on the count of rules violations for 43 different types of laboratory tests requested by the Hospital physicians, for a total of 5,716,370 requests, over a continuous period of 20 months (from 1 July 2016 to 28 February 2018). Requests from all the hospital internal departments (except for Emergency, Intensive Care Units and Urgent requests) were monitored. The software intercepted and counted, in silent mode for the operator, all requests and violations for each laboratory test among those identified. During the observation period a mean of 285,819 requests per month were analyzed and 40,462 violations were counted. The global rate of overuse was 15.2% ± 3.0%. The overall difference among sub-groups was significant (p &lt; 0.001). The most inappropriate exams were Alpha Fetoprotein (85.8% ± 30.5%), Chlamydia trachomatis PCR (48.7% ± 8.8%) and Alkaline Phosphatase (20.3% ± 6.5%). All the exams, globally considered, generated an estimated avoidable cost of 1,719,337€ (85,967€ per month) for the hospital. This study reports rates (15.2%) similar to other works. The real impact of inappropriateness is difficult to assess, but the generated costs for patients, hospitals and health systems are certainly high and not negligible. Key messages It would be desirable for international medical communities to produce a complete panel of prescriptive rules for all the most common laboratory exam. That is useful not only to reduce costs, but also to ensure standardization and high-quality care.


Author(s):  
Sehnaz Alp ◽  
Dolunay Gulmez ◽  
Rıza Can Kardas ◽  
Gizem Karahan ◽  
Zahit Tas ◽  
...  

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 388
Author(s):  
Tatsunori Satoh ◽  
Masataka Kikuyama ◽  
Keiko Sasaki ◽  
Hirotoshi Ishiwatari ◽  
Shinya Kawaguchi ◽  
...  

An appropriate diagnosis is required to avoid unnecessary surgery for gallbladder cholesterol polyps (GChPs) and to appropriately treat pedunculated gallbladder carcinomas (GCs). Generally, polyps >10 mm are regarded as surgical candidates. We retrospectively evaluated plain and contrast-enhanced (CE) computed tomography (CT) findings and histopathological features of 11 early GCs and 10 GChPs sized 10–30 mm to differentiate between GC and GChP >10 mm and determine their histopathological background. Patient characteristics, including polyp size, did not significantly differ between groups. All GCs and GChPs were detected on CE-CT; GCs were detected more often than GChPs on plain CT (73% vs 9%; p < 0.01). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy for GCs were 73%, 90%, 89%, 75%, and 81%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, lesion detectability on plain CT was independently associated with GCs (odds ratio, 27.1; p = 0.044). Histopathologically, GChPs consisted of adipose tissue. Although larger vessel areas in GCs than in GChPs was not significant (52,737 μm2 vs 31,906 μm2; p = 0.51), cell densities were significantly greater in GCs (0.015/μm2 vs 0.0080/μm2; p < 0.01). Among GPs larger than 10 mm, plain CT could contribute to differentiating GCs from GChPs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Handelsmann ◽  
L. Herzog ◽  
Z. Kulcsar ◽  
A. R. Luft ◽  
S. Wegener

AbstractDistinct patient characteristics have been proposed for ischaemic stroke in the anterior versus posterior circulation. However, data on functional outcome according to stroke territory in patients with acute stroke treatment are conflicting and information on outcome predictors is scarce. In this retrospective study, we analysed functional outcome in 517 patients with stroke and thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy treated at the University Hospital Zurich. We compared clinical factors and performed multivariate logistic regression analyses investigating the effect of outcome predictors according to stroke territory. Of the 517 patients included, 80 (15.5%) suffered a posterior circulation stroke (PCS). PCS patients were less often female (32.5% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.031), received thrombectomy less often (28.7% vs. 48.3%, p = 0.001), and had lower median admission NIHSS scores (5 vs. 10, p < 0.001) as well as a better median three months functional outcome (mRS 1 vs. 2, p = 0.010). Predictors for functional outcome were admission NIHSS (OR 0.864, 95% CI 0.790–0.944, p = 0.001) in PCS and age (OR 0.952, 95% CI 0.935–0.970, p < 0.001), known symptom onset (OR 1.869, 95% CI 1.111–3.144, p = 0.018) and admission NIHSS (OR 0.840, 95% CI 0.806–0.876, p < 0.001) in ACS. Acutely treated PCS and ACS patients differed in their baseline and treatment characteristics. We identified specific functional outcome predictors of thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy success for each stroke territory.


1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Richards ◽  
Stephen J. Ferrall

AbstractStudy objective:To determine the ability of emergency medical services (EMS) providers to subjectively triage patients with respect to hospital admission and to determine patient characteristics associated with increased likelihood of admission.Methods:A prospective, cross-sectional study of a consecutive sample of patients arriving by ambulance during the month of February 1997 at an urban, university hospital, Emergency Department. Emergency medical services providers completed a questionnaire asking them to predict admission to the hospital and requested patient demographic information. Predictions were compared to actual patient disposition.Results:A total of 887 patients were included in the study, and 315 were admitted to the hospital (36%). With respect to admission, emergency medical services providers had an accuracy rate of 79%, with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 83% (kappa = 0.56). Blunt traumatic injury and altered mental status were the most common medical reasons for admission. Variables significantly associated with high admission rates were patients with age > 50 years, chest pain or cardiac complaints, shortness of breath or respiratory complaints, Medicare insurance, and Hispanic ethnicity. The emergency medical services providers most accurately predicted admission for patients presenting with labor (kappa = 1.0), shortness of breath / respiratory complaints (kappa = 0.84), and chest pain (kappa = 0.77).Conclusion:Emergency medical services providers can predict final patient disposition with reasonable accuracy, especially for patients presenting with labor, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Certain patient characteristics are associated with a higher rate of actual admission.


2017 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Morris ◽  
E Hassin ◽  
M Borschmann

AbstractObjective:The safety of day-case tonsillectomy is widely documented in the literature; however, there are no evidence-based guidelines recommending patient characteristics that are incompatible with day-case tonsillectomy. This study aimed to identify which patients should be considered unsafe for day-case tonsillectomy based on the likelihood of needing critical intervention.Method:Retrospective review of 2863 tonsillectomy procedures performed at University Hospital Geelong from 1998 to 2014.Results:Of the patients, 7.81 per cent suffered a post-tonsillectomy complication and 4.15 per cent required intervention. The most serious complications, haemorrhage requiring a return to the operating theatre and airway compromise, occurred in 0.56 per cent and 0.11 per cent of patients respectively. The following patient characteristics were significantly associated with poorer outcomes: age of two years or less (p < 0.01), tonsillectomy indicated for neoplasm (p < 0.01) and quinsy (p < 0.05).Conclusion:The authors believe that all elective tonsillectomy patients should be considered for day-case surgery, with the following criteria necessitating overnight observation: age of two years or less; an indication for tonsillectomy of neoplasm or quinsy; and an American Society of Anesthesia score of more than 2.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dania Jaber ◽  
Rafat Abu Ghannam ◽  
Waleed Rashed ◽  
Mohammad Shehadeh ◽  
Sa’ed H. Zyoud

Abstract Background Generally, complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) are accepted methods of treatment by patients with various types of conditions. Their use is becoming especially prevalent among patients with eye problems even in developed countries. Thus, we aimed to determine the pattern of use of CAT in this patient population, to identify the patient characteristics associated with the use of CAT, and to assess the types of CAT used. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Palestine at An-Najah National University Hospital between the time periods of October 2019 to May 2020, using questionnaire-based face to face interviews. Data were collected through convenience sampling. Patients responded to the questionnaire, which was focused on information adapted from previous research in this area, covering socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, types of CAT, source of information, and side effects on CAT use. Results A total of 86 patients were interviewed for our study. Over two thirds, 67% reported using CAT for the specific purpose of improving their eye condition, and about one third (29.1%) received more than one therapy. The most common therapies reported were duea’ (i.e. supplication) (47.1%) and herbal therapies (24.1%). It was shown that patients with bilateral involvement of their eyes were almost twice more likely to describe using CAT than patients with unilateral eye pathology (p = 0.006). Also, patients who underwent surgery as their route of treatment were significantly less likely to use CAT (p = 0.043). Most of our study participants mentioned a non-physician source as their source of information regarding CAT with family members being the most frequently mentioned (30.2%) followed by the internet (25.6%) and friends (19.8%). Conclusions The prevalence of CAT use among patients with eye disease is somewhat high in our study population. Because CAT may trigger adverse reactions, influence the progression of the disease, and interfere with conventional treatment, the ophthalmologist should frequently be asked patients with such diagnostics regarding the use of these therapies. Further work is required to analyze the mechanisms of action and to establish realistic guidelines for the use of these modalities.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan S Cousins ◽  
Billy Mullinax ◽  
Lehman Godwin ◽  
Adam J Mitchell

Introduction: Screening for coronary artery disease in patients being considered for kidney transplant is common to stratify morbidity and mortality risk, but the optimal strategy, and its impact on outcomes, remains unclear. Here we test the hypothesis that myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) abnormalities, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), or coronary artery calcium (CAC) score are associated with all-cause mortality in potential kidney transplant recipients at Emory University Hospital (EUH). Methods: In a retrospective chart review, we assessed the relationship between patient demographics, single-photon emission MPI results, and CAC scoring with post-evaluation outcomes at 5 years in consecutive patients referred for pre-transplant stress testing at EUH in 2015. Mann-Whitney U and Chi-Square tests assessed between-group differences in continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression models. Results: During the study period, 589 patients (mean age 54 years; SEM 0.512, 58% male, 65% African American) underwent MPI and 424 also underwent CAC scoring. Overall, 90 patients (15%) had abnormal MPI (defined as any fixed or reversible defect) and 54 (9%) died during follow up. Age (mean 53.2 years; SEM 0.533 vs. 57.7 years; SEM 1.73, p=0.008), previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (2.06% vs. 7.41%, p=0.017), and myocardial infarction (MI) post-evaluation (4.11% vs. 18.5%, p<0.001) were associated with all-cause mortality. Age (p=0.032) and MI post-evaluation (p<0.001) remained significant in multivariate analysis. MPI abnormalities, LVEF, and CAC score were not associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Age and MI post-evaluation are associated with increased mortality in potential kidney transplant recipients referred for stress testing at EUH. We found no association between MPI abnormalities, LVEF, or CAC score and all-cause mortality.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Stella Amorim da Costa Zöllner ◽  
Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity of predominantly breastfed infants and in their mothers' mouths and breasts, as well as in the oral cavity of bottlefed infants and in non-lactating women. One hundred and sixty nine women and eighty-five milk-fed infants took part in this study and were divided into four groups: 1) infants predominantly on breastfeeding (n = 55) and their mothers (n = 55); 2) infants on bottlefeeding (n = 30); 3) non-lactating women on whom oral collections were performed (n = 80) and, 4) non-lactating women on whom breast collections were performed (n = 34). Oral and mammary swabs were cultured on Sabouraud agar dextrose with chloramphenicol. The Candida yeast strains found were isolated and identified through morphological and biochemical tests. Candida species were much less frequent in infants who were predominantly breastfed than in those who were bottlefed. Yeasts were much more frequent on the breasts of lactating women, with statistical difference in relation to the control group.


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