Clinical Trial: Prevalence and Epidemiology of Nosocomial Candidaemia and Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns in an Italian Tertiary-Care Hospital

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Prevalence and Epidemiology of Nosocomial Candidaemia and Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns in an Italian Tertiary-Care Hospital

Brief Summary: During the past two decades, the frequency of invasive fungal infections has increased dramatically in hospitalised patients throughout the world, and Candida has now emerged as one of the leading causes of bloodstream infections (BSIs). Risk-factors for invasive candidiasis include improvements in intensive care strategies (i.e., central venous catheters, mechanical ventilation, hyper-alimentation), prolonged stays in intensive care units (ICUs), the development of more aggressive surgical techniques, and the prolongation of survival of critically-ill patients. Two other important factors, observed mainly in cancer patients, are colonization of mucous membranes by yeasts, and neutropenia, resulting from increased use of antibiotics and anti-neoplastic agents, respectively. The crude mortality rate of candidaemia is high (38-75%), and the attributable mortality has been estimated at 25-38%. During the past 15 years, the prevalence of infections caused by non-albicans Candida spp. has increased exponentially, so that these organisms now account for > 50% of episodes of fungaemia in various surveys. The increase in invasive fungal infections, the associated high mortality rate, and the emergence of antifungal resistance, have all driven the search for more potent antifungal drugs. The aims of the present study are to investigate the prevalence and the epidemiology of candidaemia and to determine the antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida spp. isolates from a tertiary-care hospital in Italy.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Current Primary Outcome: The aims of the present study are to investigate the prevalence and the epidemiology of candidaemia and to determine the antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida spp. isolates from a tertiary-care hospital in Italy. [ Time Frame: 2009 ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Dates:
Date Received: May 15, 2009
Date Started: March 2009
Date Completion:
Last Updated: May 15, 2009
Last Verified: May 2009