Candida at Boston City Hospital

Abstract

In a four-month period, 371 isolates of<i>Candida</i>(<i>C albicans</i>, 68%;<i>C tropicalis</i>, 31%) were identified at Boston City Hospital. Sputum, urine, and wounds were the most frequent sources, in that order. Inocula replicating tests for susceptibility to eight antimicrobials showed that hamycin and amphotericin B were the most active; nystatin, kalafungin and endomycin ranked next; flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine) was slightly active and lomofungin and rifampin were inactive. Review of clinical records of 41 patients with apparent<i>Candida</i>infection revealed a high incidence of multiple chronic diseases and high fatality rates. Acquisition of<i>Candida</i>was associated with prolonged hospitalization and antibiotic therapy, candiduria with indwelling urinary catheters, and candidemia with intravenous catheters. There was only one case of systemic candidiasis. Specific therapy is rarely required for apparent<i>Candida</i>infection in hospitalized patients.