The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Various factors associated with seasonality, including temperature, humidity, geographical composition, and seasonal fluctuations, can influence the trends of microbes responsible for hospital infections, such as <i>Candida</i> spp. This study ev...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Paola Di Carlo, Nicola Serra, Ornella Collotta, Claudia Colomba, Alberto Firenze, Luigi Aprea, Salvatore Antonino Distefano, Andrea Cortegiani, Giovanni Giammanco, Teresa Maria Assunta Fasciana, Roberta Virruso, Angela Capuano, Consolato M. Sergi, Antonio Cascio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Antibiotics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/5/452
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850254738831966208
author Paola Di Carlo
Nicola Serra
Ornella Collotta
Claudia Colomba
Alberto Firenze
Luigi Aprea
Salvatore Antonino Distefano
Andrea Cortegiani
Giovanni Giammanco
Teresa Maria Assunta Fasciana
Roberta Virruso
Angela Capuano
Consolato M. Sergi
Antonio Cascio
author_facet Paola Di Carlo
Nicola Serra
Ornella Collotta
Claudia Colomba
Alberto Firenze
Luigi Aprea
Salvatore Antonino Distefano
Andrea Cortegiani
Giovanni Giammanco
Teresa Maria Assunta Fasciana
Roberta Virruso
Angela Capuano
Consolato M. Sergi
Antonio Cascio
author_sort Paola Di Carlo
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Various factors associated with seasonality, including temperature, humidity, geographical composition, and seasonal fluctuations, can influence the trends of microbes responsible for hospital infections, such as <i>Candida</i> spp. This study evaluates the seasonal variability of Candida spp. bloodstream infections and antifungal resistance in hospitalized patients in Sicily. <b>Methods</b>: We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of 175 patients with blood cultures positive for <i>Candida</i> spp. Who were hospitalized at University Hospital Paolo Giaccone (A.U.O.P.), University of Palermo, Italy, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024. Data on <i>Candida</i> species and antifungal resistance were also collected from the hospital’s database system to prevent and control hospital infections in A.U.O.P. <b>Results</b>: A total of 175 patients, 57.7% males, with a mean age of 68.3 years, were included in this study. <i>Candida </i><i>parapsilosis</i>, <i>Candida albicans</i>, and <i>Candida glabrata</i> were more frequent in ICU (54.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.0001), medical (72.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.0003), and surgical settings (24%, <i>p</i> = 0.0161), respectively. <i>C. </i><i>parapsilosis was</i> more frequent in dead patients (53.2%, <i>p</i> = 0.005). Among the seasons, we observed a significantly higher presence of <i>C. glabrata</i> in Autumn (20%, <i>p</i> = 0.0436). From the analysis of the seasons, <i>C</i>. <i>parapsilosis</i> and <i>C</i>. albicans were more frequent for each season, except in Spring, where the most frequent isolates were <i>C</i>. <i>glabrata</i> (5.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.0237) and C. <i>parapsilosis</i> (9.7%, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The antifungal with the most resistance to <i>Candida</i> spp. was fluconazole in all seasons. <b>Conclusions</b>: Our study highlights the seasonal trends in <i>Candida</i> spp. and antifungal resistance, emphasizing climate change’s challenges on fungal diseases. These findings may contribute to improving prevention and treatment strategies for candidemia.
format Article
id doaj-art-69fd9ded8c7b4e01aadbed002abc60e9
institution OA Journals
issn 2079-6382
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Antibiotics
spelling doaj-art-69fd9ded8c7b4e01aadbed002abc60e92025-08-20T01:57:04ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-04-0114545210.3390/antibiotics14050452The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot StudyPaola Di Carlo0Nicola Serra1Ornella Collotta2Claudia Colomba3Alberto Firenze4Luigi Aprea5Salvatore Antonino Distefano6Andrea Cortegiani7Giovanni Giammanco8Teresa Maria Assunta Fasciana9Roberta Virruso10Angela Capuano11Consolato M. Sergi12Antonio Cascio13Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry Department, Audiology Section “Federico II” University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, ItalyDegree Course in Medicine and Surgery, Medical School of Hypatia, University of Palermo, 93100 Caltanissetta, ItalyDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyAzienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, ItalyAzienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care Area (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, ItalyAzienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Emergency, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon, 80122 Naples, ItalyAnatomic Pathology Division, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, CanadaDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Various factors associated with seasonality, including temperature, humidity, geographical composition, and seasonal fluctuations, can influence the trends of microbes responsible for hospital infections, such as <i>Candida</i> spp. This study evaluates the seasonal variability of Candida spp. bloodstream infections and antifungal resistance in hospitalized patients in Sicily. <b>Methods</b>: We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of 175 patients with blood cultures positive for <i>Candida</i> spp. Who were hospitalized at University Hospital Paolo Giaccone (A.U.O.P.), University of Palermo, Italy, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024. Data on <i>Candida</i> species and antifungal resistance were also collected from the hospital’s database system to prevent and control hospital infections in A.U.O.P. <b>Results</b>: A total of 175 patients, 57.7% males, with a mean age of 68.3 years, were included in this study. <i>Candida </i><i>parapsilosis</i>, <i>Candida albicans</i>, and <i>Candida glabrata</i> were more frequent in ICU (54.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.0001), medical (72.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.0003), and surgical settings (24%, <i>p</i> = 0.0161), respectively. <i>C. </i><i>parapsilosis was</i> more frequent in dead patients (53.2%, <i>p</i> = 0.005). Among the seasons, we observed a significantly higher presence of <i>C. glabrata</i> in Autumn (20%, <i>p</i> = 0.0436). From the analysis of the seasons, <i>C</i>. <i>parapsilosis</i> and <i>C</i>. albicans were more frequent for each season, except in Spring, where the most frequent isolates were <i>C</i>. <i>glabrata</i> (5.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.0237) and C. <i>parapsilosis</i> (9.7%, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The antifungal with the most resistance to <i>Candida</i> spp. was fluconazole in all seasons. <b>Conclusions</b>: Our study highlights the seasonal trends in <i>Candida</i> spp. and antifungal resistance, emphasizing climate change’s challenges on fungal diseases. These findings may contribute to improving prevention and treatment strategies for candidemia.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/5/452seasonalitycandidemiasurveyantifungal<i>Candida </i> <i>parapsilosis</i><i>Candida glabrata</i>
spellingShingle Paola Di Carlo
Nicola Serra
Ornella Collotta
Claudia Colomba
Alberto Firenze
Luigi Aprea
Salvatore Antonino Distefano
Andrea Cortegiani
Giovanni Giammanco
Teresa Maria Assunta Fasciana
Roberta Virruso
Angela Capuano
Consolato M. Sergi
Antonio Cascio
The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot Study
Antibiotics
seasonality
candidemia
survey
antifungal
<i>Candida </i> <i>parapsilosis</i>
<i>Candida glabrata</i>
title The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot Study
title_full The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot Study
title_fullStr The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot Study
title_short The Influence of the Seasonal Variability of <i>Candida</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections and Antifungal Treatment: A Mediterranean Pilot Study
title_sort influence of the seasonal variability of i candida i spp bloodstream infections and antifungal treatment a mediterranean pilot study
topic seasonality
candidemia
survey
antifungal
<i>Candida </i> <i>parapsilosis</i>
<i>Candida glabrata</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/5/452
work_keys_str_mv AT paoladicarlo theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT nicolaserra theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT ornellacollotta theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT claudiacolomba theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT albertofirenze theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT luigiaprea theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT salvatoreantoninodistefano theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT andreacortegiani theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT giovannigiammanco theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT teresamariaassuntafasciana theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT robertavirruso theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT angelacapuano theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT consolatomsergi theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT antoniocascio theinfluenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT paoladicarlo influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT nicolaserra influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT ornellacollotta influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT claudiacolomba influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT albertofirenze influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT luigiaprea influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT salvatoreantoninodistefano influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT andreacortegiani influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT giovannigiammanco influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT teresamariaassuntafasciana influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT robertavirruso influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT angelacapuano influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT consolatomsergi influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy
AT antoniocascio influenceoftheseasonalvariabilityoficandidaisppbloodstreaminfectionsandantifungaltreatmentamediterraneanpilotstudy