[Epidemiology, species, antifungal resistance and outcome of candidemia in a university hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina for 16 years].

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of candidemia vary by region.

AIM: To determine the epidemiology of candidemia in a hospital for 16 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Episodes of candidemia occurred in the Hospital de Clinicas of Buenos Aires were reviewed, from 01/01/98 to 31/12/13.

RESULTS: 374 episodes of candidemia were identified. The incidence was 2.21/1,000 discharges and increased from 1.96 (1998-2005) to 2.25 (2006-2013) (p = 0.023). Candidemia was diagnosed: 5.4% in neonates, 1.7% in infants, 6.5% in children, 31.8% in adults and 52.7% in elderly adults over 64 years old. The episodes were caused by C. albicans (40.9%), C. parapsilosis (21.7%), C. tropicalis (15.5%), C. glabrata (13.9%), other species of Candida (5.1%) and more than one species of Candida (2.9%). The 5.3% of the isolates were resistant to fluconazole. 74% of patients were treated. Initial treatments were with fluconazole (70.3%), amphotericin B deoxycholate (25%), echinocandins or lipidic amphotericin (4,7%). The 81% of central venous catheters were taken off. Mortality rate was of 47.9%, but in the elderly adults was of 60.8%.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of candidemia showed an increase over the years. It was higher in the elderly adults, being the group with worse outcomes.