Candidemia in Akdeniz University Hospital and Predictors of Mortality

Blood-stream infections due to Candida species are important causes of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. We conducted a prospective study of patients with candidemia at Akdeniz University Hospital, between 01 March 2002 and 01 March 2003 and predictors of mortality were investigated. Thirty-five consecutive patients with candidemia identified by at least one positive blood culture. Risk factors for candidemia that previously described in literature as central venous catheters (86%), multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics (82%), urinary catheters (71%), parenteral nutrition (60%) found in our patients. C. albicans was the most frequently isolated species (60%). Overall mortality was 57%. In univariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with the presence of central venous catheters (p= 0.009), stay in intensive care unit (p= 0.016) and prolonged use mechanical ventilator (p= 0.036). In multivariate logistic regression; mortality was not statistically significant associated with any risk factors in patient with candidemia. It may be related to small sample size