Oropharyngeal candidiasis as a marker for esophageal candidiasis in patients with cancer

The modern face of esophageal candidiasis in an oncology center: Correlating clinical manifestations, endoscopic grade, and pathological data in 323 contemporary cancer patients

OBJECTIVES

Clinical presentation and outcomes of esophageal candidiasis (EC) in cancer patients are scarcely studied in the azole era, as is the correlation between clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological EC manifestations.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes of pathology-documented EC cases at MD Anderson Cancer Center. We further assessed associations between presence of symptoms, standardized 4-stage endoscopic grade (Kodsi classification), histopathological data, and fluconazole treatment failure.

RESULTS

Among 323 cancer patients with EC, 89% had solid tumors, most commonly esophageal cancer (29%). Thirty-three percent of EC patients were asymptomatic. The proportion of symptomatic EC patients significantly increased with endoscopic grade (P = 0.005). Among 202 patients receiving oral fluconazole, 27 (13%) had treatment failure. Underlying esophageal disease was the only independent predictor of fluconazole treatment failure (odds ratio: 3.88, P = 0.005). Endoscopic grade correlated significantly with Candida organism burden (Correlation coefficient [ρ] = 0.21, P < 0.01) and neutrophilic inflammation (ρ = 0.18, P < 0.01). Candida invasion of the squamous mucosal layer was associated with treatment failure (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

EC was predominantly encountered in patients with solid tumors. One-third of EC patients were asymptomatic, challenging traditional symptom-based diagnosis. The development of integrated clinicopathological scoring systems could further guide the therapeutic management of cancer patients with EC.

Infections of the esophagus: an update on risk factors, diagnosis, and management

Infectious esophagitis is a leading cause of esophagitis worldwide. While esophageal infections have traditionally been associated with immunocompromised patients, these disorders are becoming increasingly recognized in immunocompetent individuals. The three most common etiologies of infectious esophagitis are Candida, herpes simplex virus, and cytomegalovirus. Human papilloma virus infection can also involve the esophagus in the form of ulcerative lesions and papillomas. Less common etiologies include various other fungal, bacterial, and viral organisms. This review provides a comprehensive update on risk factors, diagnosis, and management of both common and less common infections of the esophagus.

Possible Risk Factors for Candida Esophagitis in Immunocompetent Individuals

Background

Candida esophagitis (CE) is a condition typically diagnosed in patients who are immunocompromised. Risk factors leading to the development of CE in immunocompetent patients have not been entirely elucidated. This study set out to identify risk factors associated with the development of CE in immunocompetent patients.

Methods

This study was a single-center retrospective chart review. Patients diagnosed with CE confirmed by endoscopic biopsy or brushings at our hospital between 2007 and 2017 were reviewed. The medical histories, endoscopy reports and pathology results were noted. Abdominal pain, heartburn, dysphagia and odynophagia were the common indications for endoscopy. A total of 241 patients were identified as having been diagnosed with CE by endoscopic brushing or biopsy. Of these patients, 161 were excluded due to the presence of immunocompromising and 80 patients were included who had no underlying immunocompromising conditions.

Results

Eighty patients with CE satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 39.8 years old (95% CI: 34.9 - 44.7). The incidences in men and women were similar in this study (49% women and 51% men). Of these patients, 56 (70%) (95% CI: 59-80%; P < 0.005) were taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Fifteen patients (19%) had a previous upper endoscopy with evidence of reflux esophagitis, and they were all treated with PPIs and subsequently found to have CE on repeat upper endoscopy with a mean of 21.6 months of PPI treatment. There were 16 (20%) patients without any attributable risk factor and were completely healthy.

Conclusions

CE is an opportunistic infection typically seen in immunocompromised. We report incidence of CE in immunocompetent patients. In our cohort of immunocompetent patients, PPI use was the most common risk factor associated with the development of CE. This could be related to hypochlorhydria resulting from PPI use. However, the cause remains unclear in some patients.

Burden of Serious Fungal Infections in Jordan

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the burden of fungal infections in Jordan for the first time.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Population data was from UN 2011 statistics and TB cases from WHO in 2012. Fewer than 100 patients with HIV were recorded in Jordan in 2013. Approximately 100 renal transplants and eight liver transplants are performed annually. There were 12,233 major surgical procedures in Jordan in 2013, of which 5.3% were major abdominal surgeries; candidemia was estimated in 5% of the population based on other countries, with 33% occurring in the ICU. Candida peritonitis/intra-abdominal candidiasis was estimated to affect 50% of the number of ICU candidemia cases. No adult asthma rates have been recorded for Jordan, so the rate from the Holy Land (8.54% clinical asthma) from To et al. has been used. There are an estimated 49,607 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in Jordan, with 64% symptomatic, 25% Gold stage 3% or 4%, and 7% (3472) are assumed to be admitted to hospital each year. No cystic fibrosis cases have been recorded. Literature searches on fungal infections revealed few data and no prevalence data on fungal keratitis or tinea capitis, even though tinea capitis comprised 34% of patients with dermatophytoses in Jordan.

RESULTS

Jordan has 6.3 million inhabitants (65% adults, 6% are >60 years old). The current burden of serious fungal infections in Jordan was estimated to affect ~119,000 patients (1.9%), not including any cutaneous fungal infections. Candidemia was estimated at 316 cases and invasive aspergillosis in leukemia, transplant, and COPD patients at 84 cases. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis prevalence was estimated to affect 36 post-TB patients, and 175 in total. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) prevalence in adults with asthma were estimated at 8900 and 11,748 patients. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis was estimated to affect 97,804 patients, using a 6% rate among women 15-50 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Based on local data and literature estimates of the frequency of mycoses in susceptible populations, at least 1.9% of Jordanians have some form of serious fungal disease.

A Polyclonal Antibody to NKX3.1 Identifies Fungal Organisms From the Esophagus

NKX3.1 is a transcription factor used to identify prostatic adenocarcinomas. We describe novel functionality for NKX3.1 compared with Grocott and periodic acid-Schiff-diastase (PASD) on esophageal biopsies. We identified esophageal biopsies on the basis of the search term "candida" from March 28, 2012 to December 27, 2013. Of 85 cases for which 3 stains were available and at least 1 stain was positive for fungus consistent with Candida, 83 cases stained as positive with NKX3.1, compared with 79 with PASD and 75 with Grocott. NKX3.1 was significantly superior to Grocott but not to PASD (P<0.05). NKX3.1 was significantly more efficacious in leading to a positive diagnosis of esophageal candidiasis compared with Grocott, resulting in a significantly higher number of positive fragments per slide as well as the number of organisms per fragment, but not PASD. NKX3.1 will be useful to add to the stain armamentarium for Candida and possibly other fungal organisms.

Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis

Infectious esophagitis may be caused by fungal, viral, bacterial or even parasitic agents. Risk factors include antibiotics and steroids use, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, malignancies and immunodeficiency syndromes including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Acute onset of symptoms such as dysphagia and odynophagia is typical. It can coexist with heartburn, retrosternal discomfort, nausea and vomiting. Abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss and even cough are present sometimes. Infectious esophagitis is predominantly caused by Candida species. Other important causes include cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus infection.

[The Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SEIP) recommendations on the diagnosis and management of invasive candidiasis]

Candida yeasts are ubiquitous commensals, which can cause opportunistic infection in any location of the body. The source of infection may be both endogenous and exogenous. Invasive candidiasis encompasses different entities ranging from invasive candidiasis to disseminated multiorgan infection. Invasive candidiasis is the third leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection and the fourth of all nosocomial infections. It is also the most common invasive fungal infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients, with a remarkable increase in the last 20 years owing to the increased survival of these patients and to more complex diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. Its incidence in infants, according to recent reviews, stands at 38.8 cases/100,000 children younger than 1 year. Candida albicans remains the most frequent isolate in invasive infections, although infections caused by other species have risen in the last years, such as C. kruzsei, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis; the latter causing invasive candidiasis mainly associated with central venous catheter management, especially in neonatal units. The overall mortality of invasive candidiasis is high, with 30-day mortality reaching 20-44% in some series involving paediatric patients. This report provides an update on incidence, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of invasive infection by Candida spp. in the paediatric patient.

Epidemiology of oral yeast colonization and infection in patients with hematological malignancies, head neck and solid tumors

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of oral yeast colonization and infection amongst cancer patients.

METHODS

Patients with solid tumor, head-neck cancer or hematological malignancy were recruited into the study. Demographic data on age, gender, type of cancer, preceding treatment with antibiotics, anti-fungal agents, chemotherapy, radiation or surgery and presence of dentures were recorded on admission. Oral examination and microbial swabs were obtained and yeast culture, identification and antifungal susceptibility performed.

RESULTS

Oral yeast colonization was prevalent in 56.8% (227/400) of all cancer patients and 18.9% (43/227) of those had clinical and microbiological evidence of infection. The incidence of oral candidiasis in yeast colonized patients was highest in head neck cancer (29.2%) followed by hematological malignancies (20.5%) and solid tumor (17%) patients. Age and dentures were identified as independent risk factors associated with yeast carriage. Candida albicans was the dominant (74%) species (497.5 per 1000 cancer admissions) followed by C. glabrata (11.5%), C. tropicalis (2.6%), C. krusei (2.6%) and C. parapsilosis (1.9%). The overall resistance to azoles was 28.2% (75/266). Resistance to specific drugs was seen for fluconazole (4.5%), itraconazole (11.7%), ketoconazole (11.3%), voriconazole (0.75%) and caspofungin (41.1%) but none to amphotericin B or nystatin.

CONCLUSIONS

The highest incidence of oral candidiasis amongst cancer patients was seen in head neck cancers. The majority of infections were caused by C. albicans but almost one third of patients harbored non-C. albicans strains such as C. glabrata which were often more resistant to anti-fungal agents.

Oral candidosis in community-based patients with advanced cancer

Oral candidosis is a significant cause of morbidity in patients with advanced cancer. The objectives of the study were to determine the epidemiology, etiology, clinical features, and microbiological aspects of oral candidosis among community-based patients. The subjects were recruited from hospice day centers in England. The clinical component involved completion of a study questionnaire, assessment of performance status, clinical examination of the oral cavity, measurement of unstimulated whole salivary flow rate, measurement of stimulated whole salivary flow rate, and performance of an oral rinse. Oral swabs were taken from subjects with appearances indicative of oral candidosis. The laboratory component involved standard procedures to isolate, enumerate, and identify yeasts from the clinical specimens. Three hundred ninety patients participated in the study. Two hundred seventy-two (70%) patients had oral yeast carriage, and 51 (13%) patients had combined clinical and microbiological evidence of oral candidosis. On univariate analysis, the presence of oral candidosis was associated with poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, presence of a denture, usage of a systemic corticosteroid, the severity of xerostomia, a low unstimulated whole salivary flow rate, and a low stimulated whole salivary flow rate. Multivariate analysis identified poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, presence of a denture, usage of a systemic corticosteroid, and the severity of xerostomia as being independently associated with the presence of oral candidosis. Oral candidosis is relatively common in community-based patients with advanced cancer. Hence, such patients should be screened for oral candidosis and should also be screened for reversible factors that predispose to oral candidosis, such as poor dental hygiene and salivary gland dysfunction.

Candidemia in immunocompromised and immunocompetent critically ill patients: a prospective comparative study

The purpose of this study was to compare the risk factors, clinical manifestations, and outcome of candidemia in immunocompromised (IC) and nonimmunocompromised (NIC) critically ill patients. Data were collected prospectively over a 2-year period (02/2000–01/2002) from patients in a 25-bed, medical–surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Eligible for participation in this study were patients who developed candidemia during their ICU stay. Patients under antifungal therapy and with a confirmed systemic fungal infection prior to the diagnosis of candidemia were excluded. Cultures of blood, urine, and stool were performed for all patients in the study, and all patients underwent endoscopy/biopsy of the esophagus for detection of Candida. Smears and/or scrapings of oropharyngeal and esophageal lesions were examined for hyphae and/or pseudohyphae and were also cultured for yeasts. During the study period, 1,627 patients were hospitalized in the ICU, 57% for primary medical reasons and 43% for surgical reasons. After application of the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria, 24 patients with candidemia (9 IC and 15 NIC) were analyzed. Total parenteral nutrition was more common in IC than in NIC patients (9/9 [100%] vs 8/15 [53%], p = 0.02). Oropharyngeal candidiasis was detected in 5 of 9 (55.5%) IC patients and in 1 of 15 (6.5%) NIC patients (p = 0.015). Esophageal candidiasis was also more common in IC than in NIC patients (4/9 [44%] vs 0/15 [0%], p = 0.012). Among the 9 IC patients, all except 2 died, resulting in a crude mortality of 78%; among the 15 NIC patients, 9 died, resulting in a crude mortality of 60% (p > 0.05). Autopsy was performed in two IC and in six NIC patients, with disseminated candidiasis found in one IC patient. Oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis are frequent in IC patients with candidemia. In contrast, this coexistence is rare in NIC critically ill patients with Candida bloodstream infections. A high mortality was noted in both IC and NIC critically ill patients with candidemia.

Oral candidosis in patients with advanced cancer

The objectives of the study were to determine the epidemiology, aetiology, clinical features and microbiological aspects of oral candidosis in a cohort of cancer patients receiving specialist palliative care. One hundred and twenty patients participated in the study. Seventy-nine (66%) of the patients had microbiological evidence of oral yeast carriage, whilst 36 (30%) of the patients had combined clinical and microbiological evidence of oral candidosis. Oral candidosis was associated with a poor performance status, the presence of xerostomia, and the presence of dentures; oral candidosis was not associated with the use of oral/parenteral antibiotics, or the use of oral/parenteral corticosteroids. Candida albicans was the predominant organism isolated from the oral swabs of patients with oral candidosis. However, non-C. albicans species were the predominant organism in 25% cases, and a contributing organism in a further 19% cases.

Oral candidiasis in hematopoietic cell transplantation patients: an outcome-based analysis

OBJECTIVES

Despite aggressive antifungal prophylaxis, the increased risk for systemic fungal infection in recipients of hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) continues to be a significant concern because Candida infection can cause morbidity and mortality in these patients. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship of oral colonization by Candida species to systemic infection, mortality, and the impact of antifungal treatment on a population of recipients of HCT.

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation were evaluated. Oral examinations and cultures for Candida were completed before transplantation and on a weekly basis until discharge. The oral complications were assessed, and the level of mucositis was scored by using the National Cancer Institute grade. Systemic antifungal prophylaxis was provided to all patients. Chlorhexidine oral rinses were also routinely provided.

RESULTS

Colonization by Candida species was identified in 31% of patients. Fifty-six percent of patients with colonization had clinical evidence of oral candidiasis. Significantly decreased Candida colonization was seen in patients using chlorhexidine alone compared with those using chlorhexidine and nystatin together (P <.046). Twenty-five patients died in the immediate posttransplantation period, 17 of whom were Candida-positive. The length of hospital stay ranged from 15 to 153 days; increased stay was also associated with Candida colonization (P =.04). Seventy-four percent of all patients developed ulcerative mucositis. More severe mucositis was seen in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. There was no significant difference between Candida colonization and the presence or severity of mucositis.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite systemic and topical antifungal prophylaxis, oropharyngeal colonization by Candida species was common in patients who had received HCT. Candidiasis was commonly present in those who did not survive the early transplant period. Of the 25 patients who died early after the transplantation, 92% had ulcerative mucositis in comparison with 70% of those who survived, reflecting the association of oral mucositis with the toxicity of HCT. There was a significant relationship among allogeneic and autologous HCT, length of stay, and colonization of Candida. In patients undergoing systemic antifungal prophylaxis, chlorhexidine rinse was statistically more effective in reducing colonization by Candida than chlorhexidine and nystatin combined (P =.046).

Mucosal candidiasis

This article examines the ecology and epidemiology of gastrointestinal candidiasis, esophageal candidiasis, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, urinary tract candidiasis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Such issues as pathogenesis and host defenses, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.

The role of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the diagnosis and management of upper gastrointestinal disorders

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy has revolutionized the clinical management of upper gastrointestinal diseases. Millions of EGDs are performed annually in the United States for many indications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, dysphagia, or surveillance of premalignant lesions. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is very safe, with a low risk of serious complications such as perforation, cardiopulmonary arrest, or aspiration pneumonia. It is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test, especially when combined with endoscopic biopsy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is increasingly being used therapeutically to avoid surgery. New endoscopic technology such as endosonography, endoscopic sewing, and the endoscopic videocapsule will undoubtedly extend the frontiers and increase the indications for endoscopy.

Esophageal candidiasis in pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: clinical manifestations and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the epidemiology and clinical features of esophageal candidiasis (EC) in pediatric AIDS. We therefore investigated the clinical presentation and risk factors of EC in a large prospectively monitored population of HIV-infected children at the National Cancer Institute.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of all HIV-infected children (N = 448) followed between 1987 and 1995 for a history of esophageal candidiasis to characterize the epidemiology, clinical features, therapeutic interventions and outcome of esophageal candidiasis. To understand further the risk factors for EC in pediatric AIDS, we then performed a matched case-control analysis of 25 patients for whom control cases were available.

RESULTS

There were 51 episodes of EC documented in 36 patients with 23 male and 13 female patients (0.2 to 17 years; median CD4, count 11/microl), representing a frequency of EC of 8.0%. Concurrent oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) was the most common clinical presentation of EC (94%); other signs and symptoms included odynophagia (80%), retrosternal pain (57%), fever (29%), nausea/vomiting (24%), drooling (12%), dehydration (12%), hoarseness (6%) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (6%). The causative organism documented in 36 episodes (18 from OPC, 17 from endoscopic biopsy and 1 from autopsy) was Candida albicans in all cases. Patients received treatment for EC with amphotericin B (63%), fluconazole (29%), ketoconazole (4%) or itraconazole (1%). A clinical response was documented in all 45 evaluable episodes. In 6 other cases, EC was a final event without contributing to the cause of death. By a conditional logistic regression model for matched data, the best predictor of EC was the presence of prior OPC (P<0.0001), followed by CD4 count and CD4 percentage (P = 0.0002) and use of antibacterial antibiotics (P = 0.0013). The risks associated with low CD4 count were independent of that of prior OPC.

CONCLUSION

EC in pediatric AIDS is a debilitating infection, which develops in the setting of prior OPC, low CD4 counts and previous antibiotics.

Gastrointestinal infections in the immunocompromised host

Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract continue to be an important source of morbidity and mortality. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa that infect normal hosts also infect the gastrointestinal tract in immunocompromised hosts. Disease caused by these pathogens may be more severe and more difficult to treat in immunocompromised hosts. In addition, pathogens that rarely cause disease in normal hosts cause significant disease in immunosuppressed hosts. Diagnostic decisions need to take into account expected pathogens and response to therapy. Treatment decisions must be based on the findings of diagnostic procedures; expected pathogens; and recent data suggesting that highly active antiretroviral therapy, with its ability to reconstitute immune function, is an essential component of treatment. This review summarizes the most important developments made in the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal infections in immunocompromised hosts in the past year.