Risk factors and outcomes of candidemia caused by Candida parapsilosis complex in a medical center in northern Taiwan

To investigate the risk factors and outcomes associated with Candida parapsilosis candidemia, a retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary medical center in northern Taiwan. Patients with C. parapsilosis candidemia and corresponding controls with C. albicans candidemia were chosen and their demographics, comorbidities, risk factors, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Antifungal susceptibility tests were performed using the Sensititre YeastOne colorimetric system. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry was used to classify the genomic species. Of the 270 candidemias found in 253 patients, C. albicans was the most common Candida species isolated (43.0%), followed by C. parapsilosis (22.6%), C. tropicalis (17.4%), and C. glabrata (10.0%). The 30-day mortality of C. parapsilosis candidemia was significantly lower than that of C. albicans candidemia (21.7% vs. 53.9%, P < 0.001). C. parapsilosis was positively associated with antifungal agent exposure [OR 7.261 (95% CI, 1.603-32.879), P = 0.010], but negatively associated with Candida colonization [OR 0.303 (95% CI, 0.123-0.745), P = 0.009], and immunosuppressant use [OR 0.264 (95% CI, 0.099-0.705), P = 0.008]. In-hospital mortality was associated with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score [OR 1.255 (95% CI, 1.002-1.573), P = 0.048]. The clinical outcomes did not differ across genomic species and in the minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole.