P167 Fungemia in neonatal ICU of a pediatric hospital in NE India

Abstract Poster session 2, September 22, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM   Objectives To determine the prevalence of fungemia in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during a period of 4 years and 4 months (January 2018 to April 2022) and to identify the causative fungal pathogens and analyze the associated risk factors. Methods A retrospective study was conducted by collecting records of neonatal fungemia occurring in 17 bedded NICU of Mother's Care Children Hospital and Research Centre, Imphal. Cases were identified by searching of computerized microbiology blood culture database. Blood cultures were carried out using automated BacT/ALERT(Biomerieux). Whenever flagged positive, immediate gram staining and subculture were carried in Blood agar, SDA, and MacConkey agar. The isolates were identified by their morphology, germ tube test, and biochemical test in VITEK-2 (Biomeriux) system. Antifungal susceptibility testing too was carried out in VITEK-2. Results A total of 2621 blood samples in pediatric blood culture bottles were received from NICU during this period of 4 years and 4 months. 21 samples showed growth of yeast cells. The isolates include Candida parapsilosis (10), C. albicans (7), Wickerhaemomyces anomalas (3), and C. krusei (1). Low birth weight, premature rupture of membrane, antibiotic therapy, and prolonged hospital stay were main risk factors. Majority of the neonates recovered with antifungal treatment. Conclusion Candida parapsilosis was isolated with highest frequency. Fungemia is more common in low birth weight babies.