Vertebral osteomyelitis is a serious debilitating infection if not detected early. Involvement of cervical vertebrae is usually seen in the presence of specific risk factors. Urinary tract infection commonly spreads to the lumbar vertebrae. This is a case presentation of an elderly male who, in the absence of specific risk factors for cervical osteomyelitis, presented with symptoms of urinary tract infection and was found to have cervical spine osteomyelitis.
Background
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungus that is rapidly spreading worldwide. In publications from India, it has already accounted for >5% of candidemia in a national survey of ICUs and as much as 30% of candidemia at individual hospitals,but data on treatment outcomes is scarce. This study reviews the various clinical syndromes in our case series, the treatment regimens we opted and their clinical outcomes.MethodsThe present study was a retrospective observational analysis of candida auris isolates obtained from patients admitted in a Aster Medcity, Kochi. Duration of study was 4 months (September 2018 to December 2018). Laboratory confirmation of the candida auris isolates was done as per CDC recommendations for Vitek2. Vitek2 was also used for obtaining the antifungal sensitivity pattern for these isolates.ResultsWe had 18 cases of Candida auris identified. The most common syndrome was surgical site infections, 9 out of 18 (50%), followed by Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI 5/18; 28%). We had 3 patients with Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) and one patient who had secondary peritonitis. The overall mortality was 28% (5/18)—mostly contributed by the CLABSI. Considering breakpoints from CLSI as well as CDC, all isolates had their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the sensitive range for Caspofungin. Both Amphotericin b and Voriconazole had MICs in susceptible range for less than 50% of the isolates and almost all isolates were having very high MICs for Fluconazole, highlighting the increased levels of antifungal resistance which has made this Candida species notorious.Conclusion
Candida auris is an emerging nosocomial pathogen in India with serious outbreak potential. The anti-fungal susceptibility is indicative of a multidrug-resistant pattern—with favorable MIC to Echinocandin and Voriconazole. Complicated bloodstream infections had high mortality inspite of early Echinocandin use. Of note, 6 patients out of 18, were managed successfully without any anti-fungal use; as they had either mild UTI (fever spikes resolved with catheter removal) or superfical SSI which could be treated with topical wound management.
Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.
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