Evaluation of invasive candidiasis in surgical patients. Case series from the Hospital de Clínicas of the State University of Campinas, from 2018 to 2024

• Grant number: 25/07444-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Lucieni de Oliveira Conterno
• Grantee: Bianca Tamkevicius Fernandes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Patients undergoing surgery have an increased risk of developing invasive candidiasis, either candidemia or deep-seated candidiasis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, microbiological criteria, antifungal prescription, and outcomes of invasive candidiasis in surgical patients.Method: A retrospective observational study will be conducted through medical record analysis, including adult patients who underwent surgery and were diagnosed with invasive candidiasis while hospitalized at the Unicamp Clinical Hospital between August 2018 and December 2024. The diagnosis of candidemia will be made when Candida spp. is isolated in at least one blood culture sample collected peripherally. Deep-seated candidiasis will be considered proven if Candida spp. is isolated from sterile material collected during surgery or by ultrasound-guided puncture, when there is no perforation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or genitourinary tract (GUT), or if there is concomitant candidemia. It will be considered probable when there is perforation of the GIT or GUT and Candida spp. is isolated from samples collected up to 24 hours after surgery. Patients with isolation in blood cultures collected exclusively via venous catheter or with a diagnosis of deep-seated candidiasis that do not meet the above criteria will be evaluated regarding the prescription or non-prescription of antifungals and their outcomes.A descriptive and comparative analysis of the data will be performed in relation to clinical presentation, microbiological diagnostic criteria, use of antifungals, and outcomes up to 30 days from the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. This study aims to understand the management of candidiasis in surgical patients at HC Unicamp to identify opportunities for improving care for this group of patients.