The following is a summary of “Burden of Candida-related vascular graft infection: a nested-case control study,” published in the February 2024 issue of Infectious Diseases by Caulier et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the risk factors associated with Vascular Graft Infections (VGIs) caused by Candida.
They conducted a case-control study (1:4 ratio) within a cohort of patients with a prior history of VGIs, matching cases and controls based on age and year of infection. Cases were identified by positive Candida spp. Cultures in biological samples, while controls had positive bacterial strain cultures only. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to explore risk factors for Candida-related VGIs, with mortality compared through survival analysis.
The results showed that 16 cases of Candida-related VGIs were matched with 64 cases of bacterial-related VGIs. Both groups exhibited similar medical histories and clinical presentations. Candida-related VGIs were connected with bacterial strains in 88% of cases (14 out of 16). Risk factors for Candida spp.-related VGIs included gas/fluid-containing collections observed on abdominal CT scans and the presence of an aortic endoprosthesis, with adjusted relative risks of 10.43 (95% CI: 1.81–60.21, P=0.009) and 6.46 (95% CI: 1.17–35.73, P=0.03). Candida-related VGIs were associated with higher mortality than bacterial-related VGIs (P=0.002).
Due to the severity of Candida-related VGIs, early detection through improved markers and prompt antifungal treatment, even based on suspicion, are crucial for optimal patient outcomes.
Source: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s15010-023-02172-y