P240 Candida nivariensis infection in South East Asia: series of case reports from Selayang Hospital, Malaysia and South East Asia Region
Authors: Ali Nur Aminah Mohamed , Ali Nursofiah Hassan , Radhakrishnan Anuradha , Thabit Alif Adlan Mohd , Sukur Salina Mohamed , Bahari Norazlah 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 2, September 22, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Introduction
Candida nivariensis, first described from Spain in 2005 is an emerging fungal pathogen. Malaysia has captured a total of 11 cases since its first reported here in 2014. Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are among South East Asia countries that reported its occurrence too.

Objectives
The occurrence and characteristics of Candida nivariensis in South East Asia are studied. We would like to highlight two cases from Selayang Hospital, Malaysia that occurred during pandemic COVID-19 in 2020 and 2022.

Case Description
In July 2020, a 60-year-old lady underlying poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, CKD stage V approaching ESRD, congestive cardiac failure, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was diagnosed as complicated MSSA bacteremia secondary to right gluteal carbuncle. Appropriate antibiotics were commenced. Aggressive source control including incision and drainage, cauterization of right gluteal carbuncle, and multiple wound debridement for the infected gluteal wound was performed. She underwent a trephine sigmoid loop colostomy. Tracheostomy was done following prolong ventilation. Anidulafungin as empirical fungal coverage was commenced in ICU as she further deteriorated. Candida nivariensis was isolated later from her blood culture.
In February 2022, a 74-year-old man underlying Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, ischemic heart disease with two vessels disease stented, post-Whipple's procedure due to necrotizing pancreatitis in 2014 complicated with chronic abdominal pain with hyperalgesia admitted to the ward for acute right lacunar infarct with failed swallowing test and neurogenic bladder. His general condition deteriorated with worsening of biochemical and septic parameters. His blood culture grew C. nivariensis following which anidulafungin was started. No distant seeding and no signs of endophthalmitis. He then required mechanical ventilatory support complicated with multiorgan failure, leading to ICU admission.

Methods
For both cases, yeast isolates were subcultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and CHROMagar. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with molecular testing was performed for confirmation of isolates. Phylogenetic tree among isolates from Malaysia was analyzed. Antifungal susceptibility test (AFST) to study the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) among treatment options was performed using the e-test method.

Results
Wide use of MALDI-TOF MS with molecular testing increased the detection rate of the species. Isolation sites in Malaysia and South East Asia region include blood culture, peritoneal fluid, high vaginal swab, and oropharyngeal swab. Risk factors namely immunocompromised status, indwelling vascular catheter, abdominal surgeries, renal failure or on dialysis support, polymicrobial usage, and prolonged stay in ICU. AFST established susceptibility towards fluconazole, high MIC to itraconazole and low MIC against amphotericin B, anidulafungin and voriconazole for both patients who unfortunately succumbed to their illness.

Conclusion
Diagnosing C. nivariensis is challenging due to its closely related phylogenetic with C. glabrata, and C. bracarensis, thus molecular testing is vital. Inadequate antifungal coverage or delay of treatment could be detrimental to patient's outcome. Continuous epidemiological surveillance is crucial to address this potential invasive fungal pathogen and to observe emerging of drug resistance.