Epidemiology of invasive candidiasis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a hospital in southeastern Brazil

Juliana T Gieburowski; Eliane M Psaltikidis; Tiago C Lima; Lucieni de O Conterno; Plinio Trabasso; Maria L Moretti; Mariângela R Resende

doi:10.3855/jidc.19091

Epidemiology of invasive candidiasis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a hospital in southeastern Brazil

Authors

Juliana T Gieburowski Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2708-3662
Eliane M Psaltikidis Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Tiago C Lima Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Lucieni de O Conterno Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7814-5387
Plinio Trabasso Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0588-4859
Maria L Moretti Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Mariângela R Resende Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19091

Keywords:

invasive candidiasis, candidemia, COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Invasive candidiasis is an important cause of nosocomial infection and recent studies have shown an increase in the number of cases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and incidence of invasive candidiasis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a reference tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was performed with 148 patients infected with Candida spp.

Results: The incidence of invasive candidiasis was 3.43 cases per 1000 admissions in the pre-pandemic period and 4.54 cases per 1000 admissions in the pandemic period, with a particularly high incidence in the intensive care unit. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, patients presented more frequently with immunosuppression (p = 0.01), sepsis (p = 0.03), and need for mechanical ventilation (p = 0.01) during the pandemic. The prevailing type of Candida spp. infection was candidemia, mostly by C. albicans. Invasive candidiasis was associated with high mortality; 52% of the infected patients died from this disease in the pre-pandemic period, while 62% died in the pandemic period. COVID-19, mechanical ventilation, and sepsis were significantly associated with mortality (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions: A high incidence of Candida infection was observed at a tertiary general hospital in Brazil between 2018 and 2022. An increase in incidence of Candida infection during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a greater number of critical patients. Sepsis, mechanical ventilation, and COVID-19 were related to higher mortality in patients with invasive candidiasis.

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Published

2024-12-31

How to Cite

Gieburowski JT, Psaltikidis EM, Lima TC, Conterno L de O, Trabasso P, Moretti ML, Resende MR (2024) Epidemiology of invasive candidiasis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a hospital in southeastern Brazil. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:S260-S266. doi: 10.3855/jidc.19091

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 12.1: December 2024 -- SUPPLEMENT

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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