Surveillance study of candidemia in cancer patients in North China

The surveillance and analysis of candidemia risk factors are necessary to reduce treatment failures in cancer patients. By understanding the geographic distribution of Candida spp. and their in vitro minimal antifungal inhibitory concentrations in cancer patients, optimal treatment protocols may be developed. On reviewing the candidemia data of cancer patients in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital (TMUCIH), we found that the incidence rate was 0.34-0.53 cases per 1,000 admissions from 2008-2010, and the crude mortality was 31.7% during 2006-2010. Candida albicans was the most common species (48.8%), followed by C. parapsilosis (24.4%), C. glabrata (9.8%), C. tropicalis (9.8%), C. lusitaniae (4.9%), and C. famata (2.3%). All species were susceptible to azoles and showed low MICs to amphotericin B. Surgery was an independent risk factor in candidemia caused by C. albicans. Furthermore, among all cancer patients, those with digestive system neoplasms were most likely to develop candidemia. In addition, cancer patients with metastasis to distant organs were significantly more prone to non-C. albicans Candida infection. This study provided data on the epidemiology of candidemia in cancer patients in North China which may be of value in such individuals with yeast infections.