Neonatal Candida auris infection: Management and prevention strategies - A single centre experience.

AIM: Our aim was to identify the clinical features and outcome of multidrug resistant Candida auris (CA) infection in neonates.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case cohort study of 17 neonates who developed sepsis caused by CA infection in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit over 3 years. The risk factors, clinical features, treatment and outcome were studied.

RESULTS

The mean gestation was 32.4 ± 4.9 weeks with overall mortality of 41%. Clinical features were indistinguishable from other causes of sepsis. CA was sensitive to micafungin but resistant to fluconazole and had variable sensitivity to voriconazole and amphotericin. Survival improved to 83% when infants were treated with a combination of micafungin and amphotericin. Non-survivors were of lower birthweights and had other risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The management guidelines and infection control measures are described in this largest series of neonatal CA infection. Treatment with a combination of amphotericin and micafungin improved the outcome.