Recorded presentation
Initiation of a hospital based fungal pathogen surveillance system
Nicola D. Thompson, MS PhD(c) and Julie E. Mangino, MD. Epidemiology Department, The Ohio State University Medical Center, 142 Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, 614.293.4488 ext: 63296, thompson-20@medctr.osu.edu
Background: Patients who
develop fungal infections are reported to have increased hospital admissions,
lengths of stay, cost, and higher mortality rates compared to non-infected
patients. The frequency and spectrum of
fungi is changing. Trends suggest fungi
other than Aspergillus and Candida, in particular non-albicans
Candida, have become increasingly common.
To better understand the changing epidemiology, we implemented a fungal
pathogen surveillance system at an academic medical center.
Methods: Isolates of fungal pathogens from
January to December 2003 were extracted from the laboratory reporting system
and entered into a surveillance database.
Data were collated and analyzed by species, unit, site and date of first
isolation.
Results: Preliminary
data on 827 first isolates of fungal pathogens, from 700 patients, suggest that
Candida species were the most common 94.1% (n=778), followed by Aspergillus
species 4.2% (n=35). Thirty two percent
were non-albicans canidida species.
A predominance of Candida albicans was seen in the unit specific
analysis, ranging from 50% in the bone marrow transplant unit (BMTU) to 70% in
the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).
Among Aspergillus, A. fumigatus (51.4%) and A.
niger (28.6%) were predominant.
The majority of isolates appear to have been collected from
non-significant sites.
Conclusions: While
difficult to draw conclusions from one year of data, fungal pathogen
surveillance programs can provide incidence data for fungal pathogens, and have
the ability to track changes in the spectrum.
This data can be provided to clinicians to direct prevention and
treatment strategies.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to
- Recognize the importance of fungal pathogen surveillance
- Describe the changing spectrum of fungal pathogen species
- Assess differences in pathogen incidence based on unit and site specific analysis and compare them to national data provided by the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNISS).
Keywords: Surveillance,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Recorded presentation
Student Session: Public Health and the Environment
The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA