EQUAL Candida score, an effective tool for predicting the outcomes of Candida tropicalis candidaemia: a retrospective cohort study

The Paediatric European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) Quality (Paed-EQUAL) Candida Score for the Management of Candidaemia in Children and Neonates

Candidaemia in children is associated with high mortality. The epidemiology of Candida bloodstream infection is changing with rising rates of fluconazole resistance worldwide and the emergence of novel multidrug-resistant species such as Candida auris, which is associated with outbreaks. Guidelines on the management of candidaemia emphasise identification of species and determination of antifungal susceptibility to guide appropriate treatment, performing relevant investigations to rule out deep-seated infection, and removal of central venous catheters. However, it is difficult to apply guidelines in routine practice. The European Confederation of Medical Mycology candidaemia scoring tool (the EQUAL score) has facilitated adherence to guidelines by using a point-based system. We have designed a point-based paediatric EQUAL (paed-EQUAL) score tool for the management of candidaemia in neonates and children. The paed-EQUAL scoring tool can be applied to improve guideline adherence and facilitate antifungal stewardship.

Risk factors associated with short-term mortality in patients with candidemia and the predictive value of serum cytokine level

BACKGROUND

Some pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in patients with candidemia patients, but no studies have included these cytokines in the analysis of risk factors for mortality of candidemia. This study aims to analyze the risk factors of short-term mortality of candidemia and the predictive value of serum cytokines.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed and compared the clinical features, risk factors and cytokine interleukin (IL)-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-10 and IL-17 between survival group and death group in 53 patients with candidemia. Receiver operating of the characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed and figured up area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity values to assess the predictive power of independent factors associated with mortality.

RESULTS

The overall in-hospital mortality rate of candidemia was 62.3 % (33/53), and the 30-day mortality rate was 52.8 % (28/53). The C. albicans accounting for 17.0 % (9/53), and the non-albicans Candida was 83.0 % (44/53). Serum IL-6 (p = 0.041, HR = 1.009), IFN-γ (p = 0.013, HR = 1.007, 95 %), procalcitonin (PCT) (p = 0.010, HR = 0.899) and Candida score (p = 0.033, HR = 1.659) were independent risk factors, while Initiation of targeted antifungal therapy within 48 h of positive blood cultures (BC) (P = 0.015, HR = 0.266) was a protective factor. The AUC of ROC for Candida score, serum IL-6, PCT, IFN-γ, and Initiation of targeted antifungal therapy within 48 h of positive BC showed 0.933, 0.841, 0.801, 0.732, 0.714, respectively. IL-6 and IFN-γ comprised good performing model for predicting 30-day and 90-day mortality, while IL-6 and IL-10 were the best combinations for predicting 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IL-6, IFN-γ, PCT, and Candida score can predict short-term mortality risk in patients with candidemia, while prompt and targeted antifungal treatment may reduce mortality. IL-6 could serve as a possible biomarker for predicting short-term mortality of candidemia and its combination with IL-10 or IFN-γ may further improve the predictive value.

Insights from Three Pan-European Multicentre Studies on Invasive Candida Infections and Outlook to ECMM Candida IV

Invasive candidiasis and candidemia remain a significant public health concern. The European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) conducted three pan-European multicentre studies from 1997 to 2022 to investigate various aspects of invasive Candida infections. These studies revealed shifting trends in Candida species distribution, with an increase of non-albicans Candida species as causative pathogens, increasing rates of antifungal resistance, and persistently high mortality rates. Despite advancements in antifungal treatment, the persistently high mortality rate and increasing drug resistance, as well as limited drug access in low-income countries, underscore the need for continued research and development in the treatment of Candida infections. This review aims to summarize the findings of the three completed ECMM Candida studies and emphasize the importance of continued research efforts. Additionally, it introduces the upcoming ECMM Candida IV study, which will focus on assessing candidemia caused by non-albicans Candida species, including Candida auris, investigating antifungal resistance and tolerance, and evaluating novel treatment modalities on a global scale.

Prevalence of Ocular Candidiasis and Candida Endophthalmitis in Patients With Candidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Infectious diseases and ophthalmology professional societies have disagreed regarding ocular screening in patients with candidemia. We aimed to summarize the current evidence on the prevalence of ocular candidiasis (OC) and Candida endophthalmitis (CE) according to the standardized definitions.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted from the inception date through 16 October 2022 using PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS. Pooled prevalence of ocular complications was derived from generalized linear mixed models (PROSPERO CRD42022326610).

RESULTS

A total of 70 and 35 studies were included in the meta-analysis for OC and concordant CE (chorioretinitis with vitreous involvement), respectively. This study represented 8599 patients with candidemia who underwent ophthalmologic examination. Pooled prevalences (95% CI) of OC, overall CE, concordant CE, and discordant CE were 10.7% (8.4-13.5%), 3.1% (2.1-4.5%), 1.8% (1.3-2.6%), and 7.4% (4.5-12%) of patients screened, respectively. Studies from Asian countries had significantly higher concordant CE prevalence (95% CI) of patients screened (3.6%; 2.9-4.6%) compared with studies from European countries (1.4%; .4-5%) and American countries (1.4%; .9-2.2%) (P <.01). Presence of total parenteral nutrition and Candida albicans was associated with CE, with pooled odds ratios (95% CI) of 6.92 (3.58-13.36) and 3.02 (1.67-5.46), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of concordant CE overall and among Asian countries was 2 and 4 times higher than the prevalence previously reported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) of <0.9%, respectively. There is an urgent need to study optimal screening protocols and to establish joint recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and AAO.

Development and Application of a Short Tandem Repeat Multiplex Typing Assay for Candida tropicalis

Candida tropicalis is a clinically important yeast that causes candidemia in humans with a high mortality rate. The yeast primarily infects immunocompromised patients, and causes outbreaks in health care facilities. Antifungal resistant isolates have been reported. We developed a short tandem repeat (STR) typing scheme for C. tropicalis to enable fast, cost-effective, and high-resolution genotyping. For the development of the typing scheme, 6 novel STR markers were selected, combined into 2 multiplex PCRs. In total, 117 C. tropicalis isolates were typed, resulting in the identification of 104 different genotypes. Subsequently, the outcome of STR typing of 10 isolates was compared to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling from whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Isolates with more than 111 SNPs were differentiated by the typing assay. Two isolates, which were identical according to SNP analysis, were separated by STR typing in 1 marker. To test specificity, the STR typing was applied to 15 related yeast species, and we found no amplification of these targets. For reproducibility testing, 2 isolates were independently typed five times, which showed identical results in each experiment. In summary, we developed a reliable and multiplex STR genotyping for C. tropicalis, which was found to correlate well to SNP calling by WGS. WGS analysis from and extensive collection of isolates is required to establish the precise resolution of this STR assay. IMPORTANCE Candida tropicalis frequently causes candidemia in immunocompromised patients. C. tropicalis infections have a high mortality rate, and the yeast is able to cause outbreaks in health care facilities. Further, antifungal resistant isolates are on the rise. Genotyping is necessary to investigate potential outbreaks. Here, we developed and applied a STR genotyping scheme in order to rapidly genotype isolates with a high-resolution. WGS SNP outcomes were highly comparable with STR typing results. Altogether, we developed a rapid, high-resolution, and specific STR genotyping scheme for C. tropicalis.

The Risk Factors and Mechanisms of Azole Resistance of Candida tropicalis Blood Isolates in Thailand: A Retrospective Cohort Study

In recent decades, an epidemiological shift has been observed from Candida infections to non-albicans species and resistance to azoles. We investigated the associated factors and molecular mechanisms of azole-resistant blood isolates of C. tropicalis. Full-length sequencing of the ERG11 gene and quantitative real-time RT-PCR for the ERG11, MDR1, and CDR1 genes were performed. Male sex (odds ratio, 0.38), leukemia (odds ratio 3.15), and recent administration of azole (odds ratio 10.56) were associated with isolates resistant to azole. ERG11 mutations were found in 83% of resistant isolates, with A395T as the most common mutation (53%). There were no statistically significant differences in the expression of the ERG11, MDR1, and CDR1 genes between the groups resistant and susceptible to azole. The prevalence of azole-resistant isolates was higher than the usage of antifungal drugs, suggesting the possibility of environmental transmission in the healthcare setting. The unknown mechanism of the other 17% of the resistant isolates remains to be further investigated.