64 research outputs found

    Three Clerihews

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    https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-me/1698/thumbnail.jp

    Candida parapsilosis infection in very low birthweight infants

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    In a UK national surveillance study, we found that Candida parapsilosis accounted for one quarter of all cases of invasive fungal infection in very low birthweight infants. C parapsilosis was associated with fewer deep-seated infections than C albicans, but mortality was similar. Ongoing surveillance is needed to monitor the epidemiology of invasive fungal infection in very low birthweight infants.This study was partly supported by an educational grant provided by Pfizer UK

    Characteristics and outcome of infants with candiduria in neonatal intensive care - a Paediatric Investigators Collaborative Network on Infections in Canada (PICNIC) study

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is limited information in the literature on the presentation and prognosis of candidal urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a prospective cohort study performed in 13 Canadian NICUs. Infants with candidal UTI without extra-renal candidal infection at presentation were enrolled.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty infants fit the study criteria. Median birth weight and gestational age were 2595 grams (range 575-4255) and 35 weeks (range 24-41) with 10 infants being < 30 weeks gestation. The most common primary underlying diagnosis was congenital heart disease (n = 10). The median age at initial diagnosis was 16 days (range 6-84 days). Renal ultrasonography findings were compatible with possible fungal disease in 15 of the 26 infants (58%) in whom it was performed. Treatment was variable, but fluconazole and either amphotericin B deoxycholate or lipid-based amphotericin B in combination or sequentially were used most frequently. Extra-renal candidiasis subsequently developed in 4 infants. In 2 of these 4 infants, dissemination happened during prolonged courses of anti-fungal therapy. Three of 9 deaths were considered to be related to candidal infection. No recurrences of candiduria or episodes of invasive candidiasis following treatment were documented.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Candidal UTI in the NICU population occurs both in term infants with congenital abnormalities and in preterm infants, and is associated with renal parenchymal disease and extra-renal dissemination. A wide variation in clinical approach was documented in this multicenter study. The overall mortality rate in these infants was significant (30%). In one third of the deaths, <it>Candida </it>infection was deemed to be a contributing factor, suggesting the need for antifungal therapy with repeat evaluation for dissemination in infants who are slow to respond to therapy.</p

    Prophylactic systemic antifungal agents to prevent mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight infants

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    Background: Invasive fungal infection is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight infants. Early diagnosis is difficult, and treatment is often delayed. The available data are insufficient to conclude that topical/oral prophylaxis (usually nystatin and/or miconazole) prevents invasive fungal infection or mortality in very low birth weight infants. Systemic antifungal agents (usually azoles) are increasingly used as prophylaxis against invasive fungal infection. Objectives: To assess the effect of prophylactic systemic antifungal therapy on mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight infants. Search strategy: The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. This included searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 - May 2007), EMBASE (1980 - May 2007), conference proceedings, and previous reviews. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials that compared the effect of prophylactic systemic antifungal therapy versus placebo, or no drug, or another antifungal agent or dose regimen, in very low birth weight infants. Data collection and analysis: Data were extracted using the standard methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group, with separate evaluation of trial quality and data extraction by each author, and synthesis of data using relative risk, risk difference, and weighted mean difference. The pre-specified outcomes were death prior to hospital discharge, long-term neurodevelopment, incidence of invasive fungal infection, emergence of antifungal resistance, and adverse drug reactions. Main results: Seven eligible trials enrolling a total of 638 participating infants were identified. Meta-analysis of data from four trials that compared prophylactic fluconazole versus placebo revealed a statistically significant reduction in the risk of invasive fungal infection in the infants who received prophylaxis [typical relative risk: 0.23 (95% confidence interval 0.11, 0.46); typical risk difference: -0.11 (95% confidence interval -0.16, -0.06); number needed to treat: 9 (95% confidence interval 6, 17)]. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of death prior to hospital discharge [typical relative risk: 0.61 (95% confidence interval 0.37, 1.03); typical risk difference: -0.05 (95% confidence interval -0.11, -0.00)]. Only one trial reported long term neurodevelopmental outcomes. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of developmental delay, or motor or sensory neurological impairment in children assessed at a median age of 16 months. One small trial that compared systemic versus oral/topical prophylaxis did not detect a statistically significant effect on invasive fungal infection or mortality. Two trials compared different dosing regimens of prophylactic intravenous fluconazole. These did not detect any significant differences in infection rates or mortality

    Percutaneous central venous catheters versus peripheral cannulae for delivery of parenteral nutrition in neonates

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    Background: Parenteral nutrition for neonates may be delivered via a short peripheral cannula or a central venous catheter. The latter may either be inserted via the umbilicus or percutaneously. Because of the complications associated with umbilical venous catheter use, many neonatal units prefer to use percutaneously inserted catheters following the initial stabilisation period. The method of parenteral nutrition delivery may affect nutrient input and consequently growth and development. Although potentially more difficult to place, percutaneous central venous catheters may be more stable than peripheral cannulae, and need less frequent replacement. These delivery methods may also be associated with different risks of adverse events, including acquired systemic infection and extravasation injury. Objectives: To determine the effect of infusion via a percutaneous central venous catheter versus a peripheral cannula on nutrient input, growth and development, and complications including systemic infection, or extravasation injuries in newborn infants who require parenteral nutrition. Search strategy: The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. This included searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 - February 2007), EMBASE (1980 - February 2007), conference proceedings, and previous reviews. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials that compared the effect of delivering parenteral nutrition via a percutaneous central venous catheter versus a peripheral cannulae in neonates. Data collection and analysis: Data were extracted the data using the standard methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group, with separate evaluation of trial quality and data extraction by each author, and synthesis of data using relative risk, risk difference and mean difference. Main results: Four trials eligible for inclusion were found. These trials recruited a total of 368 infants and reported a number of different outcomes. One study showed that the use of a percutaneous central venous catheter was associated with a decreased risk of cumulative nutritional deficit during the trial period: Mean difference in the percentage of the prescribed nutritional intake actually received: -7.1% (95% confidence interval -11.02, -3.2). In another trial, infants in the percutaneous central venous catheter group needed significantly fewer catheters/cannulae per infant during the trial period: Mean difference in the number of catheters/cannulae per infant: -3.2 (95% confidence interval -5.13, -1.27). Meta-analysis of data from all four trials did not find any evidence of an effect on the incidence of systemic infection: Typical relative risk: 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.70, 1.25); typical risk difference: -0.02 (95% confidence interval -0.12, 0.08). Authors' conclusions: Data from one small study suggest that the use of a percutaneous central venous catheter to deliver parenteral nutrition in newborn infants improves nutrient input. The significance of this in relation to long-term growth and developmental outcomes is unclear. Another study suggested that the use of a percutaneous central venous catheter rather than a peripheral cannula decreases the number of catheters/cannulae needed to deliver the nutrition. No evidence was found to suggest that percutaneous central venous catheter use increased the risk of adverse events, particularly systemic infection

    Systemic antifungal prophylaxis for very low birthweight infants: a systematic review

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    Systematic review and meta-analysis of four randomised controlled trials suggest that prophylactic fluconazole reduces the incidence of invasive fungal infection in very low birthweight infants. Further trials are needed to provide more precise estimates of effect size, and to assess the effect on mortality, neurodevelopment and the emergence of antifungal resistance.WMcG has received research funds from Pfizer UK Ltd, a manufacturer of fluconazole

    Invasive fungal infection in very low birthweight infants: national prospective surveillance study

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    OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of invasive fungal infection in very low birthweight (VLBW: <1500 g) infants in the United Kingdom. DESIGN National prospective surveillance study between February 2003 and February 2004 using the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit reporting system reconciled with cases identified through routine laboratory reporting to the Health Protection Agency (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland), the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, and the UK Mycology Reference Laboratory. RESULTS Ninety four confirmed cases of invasive fungal infection were identified during the surveillance period giving an incidence of estimated annual incidence of 10.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.0 to 12.0) cases per 1000 VLBW live births. Eighty one (86%) of the infants were of extremely low birth weight (ELBW: <1000 g), incidence 21.1 (95% CI 16.5 to 25.7) per 1000 ELBW live births. Candida species, predominantly C albicans and C parapsilosis, were isolated in 93% of cases. Most organisms were isolated from the bloodstream and urinary tract. Death occurred in 41% of the infected infants before 37 weeks postconceptional age. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of invasive fungal infection in VLBW and ELBW infants in the United Kingdom is lower than reported in previous studies from tertiary centres in North America and elsewhere. The associated late neonatal and post-neonatal death rates are substantially higher than expected in infants without invasive fungal infection. These data may inform decisions about the evaluation and use of antifungal infection control strategies
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