Candidemia in COVID-۱۹ patients; Novel cases in the northeast of Iran

Background and Aim : Blood infections caused by Candida species (candidemia) can be very serious. They can cause death in hospitalized patients, especially in COVID-۱۹ patients. Accurate identification of pathogens plays an important role in the targeted treatment and the epidemiological status of this infection. Methods : Twenty patients with candidemia showed positive Candida cultures through the BACTECH system and subculture on mycological media. The Candida isolates were purified using CHROMagar Candida, and the species were correctly identified by the ۲۱-plex PCR method. Results : Of the ۲۰ patients, ۴ (۲۰%) had COVID-۱۹ that all of them died in the one-year study. Two of the patients had two Candida species as C. albicans/ C. parapsilosis. The frequencies of the Candida isolates among the patients were C. albicans (n = ۳, ۵۰%), C. parapsilosis (n = ۲, ۳۳%), and, C. tropicalis (n = ۱, ۱۷%). Conclusion : The mortality rate among COVID-۱۹ patients affected by candidemia is high. C. albicans was the main cause of yeast-derived candidemia among the COVID-۱۹ patients with candidemia.

Keywords:

Candidemia , Blood , Candida , COVID-۱۹