Cluster of Candida parapsilosis primary bloodstream infection in a neonatal intensive care unit

Braz J Infect Dis. 2001 Feb;5(1):32-6. doi: 10.1590/s1413-86702001000100005.

Abstract

Candida parapsilosis is an increasingly important bloodstream pathogen in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). We investigated a cluster of bloodstream infections in a NICU to determine whether nosocomial transmission occurred. During a 3-day period, 3 premature infants hospitalized in the same unit presented with sepsis caused by C. parapsilosis. Electrophoretic karyotype of the organisms was performed by using pulsed field gel electrophoresis in a countour-clamped homogeneous electric field system. The isolate from 1 newborn could not be typed, and the isolates from the remaining 2 infants had identical patterns. All 3 cases are described. We conclude that nosocomial transmission of C. parapsilosis occurred and that neonates under intensive care may represent a risk group for this pathogen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida / classification*
  • Candida / genetics
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Diseases in Twins / etiology
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Fungemia / drug therapy
  • Fungemia / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / microbiology*
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
  • Karyotyping
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B