The association between anatomic site of Candida colonization, invasive candidiasis, and mortality in critically ill surgical patients

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2006 Aug;55(4):293-301. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2006.03.013. Epub 2006 May 15.

Abstract

We evaluated whether the likelihood of developing invasive candidiasis (IC) differed depending upon the anatomic site of Candida colonization in 182 surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients who participated in a randomized trial of fluconazole to prevent candidiasis. We also determined the impact of Candida colonization of different anatomic sites on all-cause SICU and hospital mortality. A total of 2851 surveillance fungal cultures collected from 5 anatomic sites were analyzed. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of IC comparing patients with and without urinary (13.2% versus 2.8%, P = .02), respiratory (8.0% versus 1.2%, P = .04), and rectum/ostomy (8.4% versus 0%, P = .01) colonization. Patients with negative rectum/ostomy cultures and patients with both negative urine and respiratory tract cultures did not develop IC. Candiduria detected at any time in the SICU was independently associated with SICU mortality (odds ratio, 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-7.74). Surveillance fungal cultures of particular anatomic sites may help differentiate patients at higher risk of developing IC from those at low risk.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APACHE
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida / growth & development
  • Candida / isolation & purification
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / mortality*
  • Critical Care
  • Critical Illness / mortality
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Fungemia / mortality*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Regression Analysis
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Urinary Tract Infections / mortality*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole