# P-1949. Candida spp. colonization in critically ill patients: Risk factors and outcomes

## TL;DR

This study explores how often Candida fungi colonize ICU patients, the risk factors like antibiotic use, and the outcomes such as bloodstream infections.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific antibiotics and patient conditions linked to Candida colonization in ICU patients.

## Key findings

- Candida colonization was found in 56.6% of ICU patients, with C. albicans being the most common species.
- Colonized patients had higher exposure to antibiotics like meropenem and ceftriaxone.
- Candidemia occurred only in colonized patients, but bloodstream species differed from stool isolates.

## Abstract

Candida spp. are important pathogens among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and colonization is the first step toward invasive infection. This study describes the epidemiology, risk factors, and colonization dynamics of Candida in ICU patients.Figure 1.Days of therapy and days of antibiotic spectrum coverage among Candida spp. colonized and non-colonized patients.

Days of therapy and days of antibiotic spectrum coverage among Candida spp. colonized and non-colonized patients.

This nested case–control study included adult ICU patients who underwent fecal sample collection between 2021 and 2024. Candida colonization was detected via stool culture on Candida selective media and species were identified by MALDI-TOF. Patients were classified as either colonized or never colonized during ICU stay. Baseline characteristics, Total Days of Therapy (DOT), Days of Antibiotic Spectrum Coverage (DASC) and in-hospital mortality were compared. A time-dependent conditional logistic regression with a 1:2 matched design was used to identify risk factors for colonization, considering only exposures before the colonization day in cases and the matched day in controls.Figure 2.Temporal distribution of Candida species among ICU-colonized patients.

Temporal distribution of Candida species among ICU-colonized patients.

Among 191 ICU patients, 108 (56.6%) were colonized by Candida spp. Colonized patients had higher rates of liver disease and diabetes (Table 1). Colonized patients had greater exposure to vancomycin, meropenem, and ceftriaxone, along with higher DOT and DASC (Figure 1). In colonized patients, C. albicans was the most common species (52%), followed by C. glabrata (43%) (Figure 2). Co-colonization with other Candida species occurred in 14% of patients, and 25% experienced spontaneous clearance during their ICU stay. Colonized patients also had higher Enterococcus spp. colonization (24.1%). Univariate analysis showed that prior exposure to meropenem (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-3.4) and ceftriaxone (OR 2.5, CI 1.5-4.1) were risk factors for colonization, while DOT and DASC were not significantly different between groups (Table 2). Candidemia occurred exclusively in colonized patients, although in cases (n=5) bloodstream species differed from those found in stool. Mortality did not differ by colonization status.

Candida spp. colonization was common among ICU patients and often involved multiple species. Colonization was linked to increased broad antibiotic exposure. Colonized patients were more likely to have candidemia, although infecting species differed from the colonizing isolates.

All Authors: No reported disclosures