Increase in candidemia cases and emergence of fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis and C. auris isolates in a tertiary care academic hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, Greece, 2020 to 2023.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of Candida auris have changed the epidemiological landscape of candidaemia worldwide.AimWe compared the epidemiological trends of candidaemia in a Greek tertiary academic hospital before (2009-2018) and during the early COVID-19 (2020-2021) and late COVID-19/early post-pandemic (2022-2023) era.MethodsIncidence rates, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility profile and antifungal consumption were recorded, and one-way ANOVA or Fisher's exact test performed. Species were identified by MALDI-ToF MS, and in vitro susceptibility determined with CLSI M27-Ed4 for C. auris and the EUCAST-E.DEF 7.3.2 for other Candida spp.ResultsIn total, 370 candidaemia episodes were recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection incidence (2.0 episodes/10,000 hospital bed days before, 3.9 during the early and 5.1 during the late COVID-19 era, p < 0.0001), C. auris (0%, 9% and 33%, p < 0.0001) and fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis species complex (SC) (20%, 24% and 33%, p = 0.06) infections increased over time, with the latter not associated with increase in fluconazole/voriconazole consumption. A significant increase over time was observed in fluconazole-resistant isolates regardless of species (8%, 17% and 41%, p < 0.0001). Resistance to amphotericin B or echinocandins was not recorded, with the exception of a single pan-echinocandin-resistant C. auris strain.ConclusionCandidaemia incidence nearly tripled during the COVID-19 era, with C. auris among the major causative agents and increasing fluconazole resistance in C. parapsilosis SC. Almost half of Candida isolates were fluconazole-resistant, underscoring the need for increased awareness and strict implementation of infection control measures.

Epidemiological Trends of Fungemia in Greece with a Focus on Candidemia during the Recent Financial Crisis: a 10-Year Survey in a Tertiary Care Academic Hospital and Review of Literature.

Updated information on the epidemiology of candidemia, particularly during severe socioeconomic events, is important for proper management of these infections. A systematic literature review on candidemia in Greece and a retrospective surveillance study were conducted in a tertiary university hospital during the years of the recent financial crisis (2009 to 2018) in order to assess changes in incidence rates, patient characteristics, species distribution, antifungal susceptibilities, and drug consumption. The average annual incidence of 429 candidemic episodes was 2.03/10,000 bed days, with 9.88 in adult intensive care units (ICUs), 1.74 in surgical wards, and 1.81 in internal medicine wards, where a significant increase was observed (1.15, 1.85, and 2.23/10,000 bed days in 2009 to 2011, 2012 to 2014, and 2015 to 2018, respectively; P = 0.004). Candida albicans was the most common species (41%), followed by Candida parapsilosis species complex [SC] (37%), Candida glabrata SC (11%), Candida tropicalis (7%), Candida krusei (1%), and other rare Candida spp. (3%). Mixed infections were found in 20/429 (4.7%) cases, while 33 (7%) cases were due to non-Candida spp. Overall, 44/311 (14%) isolates were resistant/non-wild type (WT) to the nine antifungals tested, with 23/113 (20%) C. parapsilosis SC and 2/34 (6%) C. glabrata SC isolates being resistant to fluconazole (1 panechinocandin and 2 panazole resistant). All isolates were susceptible/WT to amphotericin B and flucytosine. While the overall consumption of antifungals diminished (P = 0.02), with a mean of 17.93 defined daily doses (DDD)/100 bed days, increased micafungin use was correlated with the rise in C. parapsilosis SC (P = 0.04). A significant increase of candidemia in internal medicine wards and of C. parapsilosis SC infections was found during the years of financial crisis. Although resistance rates remain low (<14%), fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis SC and multidrug-resistant C. glabrata SC isolates are of major concern.

Real life treatment experience and outcome of consecutively hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia by Omicron-1 vs Delta variants.

BACKGROUND: Omicron-1 COVID-19 is less invasive in the general population than previous viral variants. However, clinical course and outcome of hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia during the shift of the predominance from Delta to Omicron variants are not fully explored. METHODS: During January 2022 consecutively hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were analysed. SARS-CoV-2 variants were identified by a 2-step pre-screening protocol and randomly confirmed by whole genome sequencing analysis. Clinical, laboratory and treatment data split by type of variant were analysed along with logistic regression of factors associated to mortality. RESULTS: 150 patients [mean age (SD) 67.2(15.8) years, male 54%] were analysed. Compared to Delta (n = 46), Omicron-1 patients (n = 104) were older [mean age (SD): 69.5(15.4) vs 61.9(15.8) years, p = 0.007], with more comorbidities (89.4% vs 65.2%, p = 0.001), less obesity (BMI >30Kg/m2 in 24% vs 43.5%, p = 0.034) but higher vaccination rates for COVID-19 (52.9% vs 8.7%, p < 0.001). Severe pneumonia (48.7%), pulmonary embolism (4.7%), need for invasive mechanical ventilation (8%), administration of dexamethasone (76%) and 60-day mortality (22.6%) did not significantly differ. Severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia independently predicted mortality [OR 8.297 (CI95% 2.080-33.095), p = 0.003]. Remdesivir administration (n = 135) was protective from death both in unadjusted and adjusted models [OR 0.157 (CI95% 0.026-0.945), p = 0.043. CONCLUSIONS: In a COVID-19 department the severity of pneumonia that did not differ between Omicron-1 and Delta variants predicted mortality whilst remdesivir remained protective in all analyses. Death rates did not differ between SARS-CoV-2 variants. Vigilance and consistency with prevention and treatment guidelines for COVID-19 is mandatory regardless of the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant.