Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, pathogen distribution and outcome of lower respiratory tract fungal infection in patients with mechanical ventilation in emergency intensive care unit (EICU). Methods The clinical data of  patients with lower respiratory tract fungal infection treated with mechanical ventilation in EICU were retrospectively analysed. Results Eighty (64.5%) of the 124 patients with mechanical ventilation experienced lower respiratory tract infection, among whom 21(26.2%) were complicated with fungal infection. The predominant pathogen was Candida (Candida albicans, n=11; Candida tropicalis, n=5; Candida smooth, n=3; Candida parapsilosis, n=2). Compared with patients with non-fungal infection (n=59), those with fungal infection(n=21) had higher APACHE II score, longer mechanical ventilation time and longer ICU stay duration（P<0.05）. No death occurred in patients with Candida albicans infection, while 7 patients with non-Candida albicans infection died. Conclusion The prevalence of lower respiratory tract fungal infection is high in patients with mechanical ventilation hospitalized in EICU, and the major pathogens are Candida, with Candida albicans as the dominant one. The mortality of patients with non-Candida albicans infection is high, and is drugresistant to fluconazol, which indicates early and effective interventions should be taken.

Key words: intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, fungal infection