Nosocomial outbreak of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit in China

Summary Background Candida parapsilosis is a common agew2nt of fungemia, but few outbreaks of Candida parapsilosis infection have been reported in China. Aim This study aimed to elaborate an outbreak of nosocomial Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungemia in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a comprehensive hospital in China from July to October 2017. Methods Epidemics and characteristics of fungemia cases were investigated. Surveillance samples were collected. VITEK 2 Compact System, internal transcribed spacer sequencing, and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing were conducted to identify the isolates. Antifungal susceptibility test was performed for all bloodstream isolates. Findings Sixteen neonates were diagnosed as Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto fungemia during this period. Presenting symptoms included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and respiratory crackles. Fifteen cases were cured while one case who suffered from severe concomitant diseases died. The isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and 5-fluorocytosine. A total of 313 surveillance samples were collected, and Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto was identified from 16 environmental samples and one sample from an ultrasonographer’s hand. The colonized locations included wiping cloths, faucets, sinks, operating table, puddles in the bathroom, a ventilator, and an ultrasonic probe. The RAPD patterns of all the Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates from bloodstream and surveillance samples were identical. The outbreak was controlled after a series of infection control measures. Conclusions Contaminated environment was associated with this outbreak. Close attention to immunocompromised patients, thorough environmental disinfection and hand hygiene should be strengthened in NICU.