Comparison of candida pcr and blood culture in high risk patients with candidemia in i̇ntensive care unit

Aim: Candida spp from 70 to 90 % of invasive fungal infections in intensive care units. In this study, the results of Candida PCR which is a blood culture and whole blood samples were compared in patients with suspected candidemia in Cukurova University Medical Faculty General Surgery Intensive Care Unit and Anesthesiology and Reanimation Unit. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of Candida PCR as a rapid diagnostic method in patients with suspected candidiasis. Material and Method: Ninety patients with a high risk of candidiasis were evaluated prospectively in our study. Urine, perineum, axilla, tracheal aspirate culture and 2 sets of blood cultures were obtained from the patients. Blood was also drawn into an EDTA tube. Candida PCR was stored at -40 ° C for later study. In Candida multiplex PCR, ITS1, ITS2, ITS2D, CA3, CA4 primers were used. In Candida real-time PCR, species-specific primers were used to distinguish species. In Candida real-time PCR, species-specific primers were used to distinguish species. Results: 41 (45.5%) of the patients were female and 49 (55.5%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 58.1 (± 18.4). The blood culture was positive for 3 patients. Candida multiplex PCR and Candida real-time PCR were positive in 17 (18.9%) patients. Candida species found in the blood culture and PCR test were compatible with each other. PCR was significantly more positive (p = 0,006). The difference in candida score between patients with PCR positive and PCR negative was statistically significant (p=0,015). Fifty-five (63.3%) of the patients died. Conclusion: Delay in treatment with candidemia is directly related to increased mortality. In our study, we found that the probability of detecting candidemia with PCR was higher. Therefore, it can be seen that molecular methods should be used in the diagnosis especially in patients with high risk of candidiasis. Key words: Candida, Candidemia, PCR