DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i07.029

Pages: 2583-2585

The objective is to study the prevalence of hospital acquired fungal infections in the NICU in relation to subspecies identification, anti-fungal sensitivity pattern and complications. This was a prospective study done in a Tertiary care NICU between August 2013 to January 2015. Babies with suspected nosocomial infection were subjected to blood and CSF culture. Those who grew Candida species were included in the study and followed up with anti-fungal. In results prevalence of 7.1% was noted for culture proven candida infection with a higher incidence in preterm babies (14%). Candida krusei (94%) was the most common sub-species isolated with a high resistance to fluconazole and/or Amphotericin B. All those treated with Voriconazole showed good outcome in comparison to other anti-fungal. Endorgan involvement with fungal ball in the kidney and fungal meningitis was more common in the C. Krusei group. In conclusion Non-albicans species are increasingly being reported in NICUs. They are associated with more complication and a higher degree of resistance to conventional anti-fungals.