# P-1733. Demographic and Service-Specific Patterns of Candidemia Species Distribution in Costa Rican Hospitals (2007-2023)

## TL;DR

This study examines how different Candida species affect patients in Costa Rican hospitals, revealing patterns by age, gender, and hospital service.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct demographic and service-specific patterns of candidemia species distribution in Costa Rica, which can inform targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

## Key findings

- C. parapsilosis is more common in males and ICU patients, while C. glabrata increases with age and is prevalent in emergency departments.
- C. albicans dominates in gynecology/obstetrics, and C. tropicalis is more frequent in younger patients and medical services.
- Hospital-specific differences in species distribution suggest the need for localized prevention strategies.

## Abstract

Understanding the demographic and service-specific distribution of candidemia is essential for targeted prevention strategies. This study characterizes candidemia patterns across different patient populations and hospital settings in Costa Rica.Gender Distribution by Candida Species (N=2,128)Gender Distribution by Candida Species (N=2,128)Species Distribution by Age GroupSpecies Distribution by Age Group

Gender Distribution by Candida Species (N=2,128)

Gender Distribution by Candida Species (N=2,128)

Species Distribution by Age Group

Species Distribution by Age Group

We analyzed 2,128 candidemia cases from two tertiary hospitals, examining species distribution by sex, age, hospital service, and clinical outcomes.Candida Species Distribution by Hospital ServiceCandida Species Distribution by Hospital Service

Candida Species Distribution by Hospital Service

Candida Species Distribution by Hospital Service

Significant gender differences were observed in species distribution (χ²=50.71, p< 0.001): males represented 58.7% of all cases, with C. parapsilosis showing marked male predominance (66.7%) compared to the balanced distribution of C. albicans (50.1% male). Age-specific patterns revealed significant differences between species (ANOVA: F=10.85, p< 0.001): C. glabrata affected older patients (mean 58.4 years) while C. tropicalis showed the lowest mean age (50.5 years). The proportion of C. parapsilosis decreased with age (58.0% in 0-19 years vs. 42.7% in ≥80 years), while C. glabrata increased substantially (7.4% to 14.7%). Service-specific distribution showed distinctive patterns (χ²=69.65, p< 0.001): C. parapsilosis was significantly over-represented in ICUs (60.4%), C. albicans dominated in Gynecology/Obstetrics (66.7%), C. tropicalis showed higher presence in Medicine services (47.1%), and C. glabrata was notably over-represented in Emergency departments (21.2%). Inter-hospital differences were significant (χ²=95.56, p< 0.001), with C. parapsilosis predominating at Hospital México (52.3%) versus C. albicans at Hospital San Juan de Dios (38.6%).

This study reveals distinct epidemiological profiles of Candida species across different demographic groups and hospital services. These patterns suggest the influence of specific risk factors in different patient populations and clinical settings, highlighting the need for tailored prevention strategies and empirical treatment approaches based on patient characteristics and hospital environment.

All Authors: No reported disclosures