Azole resistance in Aspergillus species in Southern Taiwan: An epidemiological surveillance study.

Poor clinical outcomes for invasive aspergillosis are associated with antifungal resistance. Performing antifungal susceptibility tests on clinically relevant Aspergillus isolates from patients and environmental regions with known azole resistance is recommended. The aim of the study was to assess the presence of azole resistance in clinical Aspergillus spp.

The Impact of Biofilm Formation on the Persistence of Candidemia.

This study aimed to determine the predictors of persistent candidemia and examine the impact of biofilm formation by isolates in adult patients with candidemia. Of the adult patients with candidemia in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 2007 and December 2012, 68 case patients with persistent candidemia (repeated candidemia after a 3-day systemic antifungal therapy) and 68 control patients with non-persistent candidemia ( clearance from the bloodstream after a 3-day systemic antifungal therapy) were included based on propensity score matching and matching for the species isolated. Biofilm formation by the species was assessed using standard biomass assays.

Antifungal therapy did not improve outcomes including 30-day all-cause mortality in patients suffering community-acquired perforated peptic ulcer-associated peritonitis with Candida species isolated from their peritoneal fluid.

Background/purpose: Although patients suffering community-acquired perforated peptic ulcer (PPU)-associated peritonitis with Candida species isolated from their peritoneal fluid have higher chances of mortality and experiencing a complicated postoperative clinical course, universal antifungal therapy for these patients remains controversial.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the impacts of antifungal therapy on outcomes of patients suffering community-acquired PPU-associated peritonitis with Candida species isolated from their ascites at a medical center in Taiwan. All included patients received source control and antibiotic treatment, with or without additional postoperative antifungal therapy with fluconazole or an echinocandin for at least 3 days.