[Nosocomial Candida infections and thrombocytopenia in very low birth weight newborns].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze thrombocytopenia as an early marker of late-onset neonatal Candida sepsis and to determine whether there are significant differences in platelet count between neonates infected by different infectious agents.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 42 neonates with late-onset sepsis with positive blood culture in our neonatology service between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004. Only the first episode of sepsis in any single patient was included. The principal parameter examined was the incidence of thrombocytopenia according to the microorganisms causing the sepsis (Gram-positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria and fungi). The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.5. The data are expressed as mean+/-standard deviation. The chi-squared test was used to compare qualitative variables. For quantitative variables, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov was used; ANOVA was used for parametric variables and the Kruskal-Wallis test for non-parametric variables. A value of p<0.5 was considered significant.


RESULTS
Late-onset sepsis was diagnosed in 42 (2.3%) of 1,757 newborn admissions. Gestational age at birth was 31+/-4.9 weeks (24-41.5 weeks) with a mean birth weight of 1,618+/-911 g (750-4,070 g). There were 34 boys (81%) and eight girls (19%). When patients infected with the three groups of microorganisms were compared, no significant differences were found except for birth weight, days of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, thoracotomy, days of mechanical ventilation, antibiotic therapy before sepsis, and thrombocytopenia. Gram-positive sepsis was found in 47.6%, Gram-negative sepsis in 33 % and fungal sepsis in 19%. The only cause of fungal sepsis was Candida, mainly C. glabrata (50%), followed by C. albicans (37.5%) and C. parapsilosis (12.5%). The most reliable marker of Candida sepsis was thrombocytopenia, which was found in 17.7% of the episodes of late-onset sepsis. The incidence of thrombocytopenia was significantly higher in Candida sepsis than in bacterial sepsis (100% vs 5.9%) (p<0.001). Only two patients with bacterial sepsis had thrombocytopenia and both cases were caused by Gram-negative bacteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Thrombocytopenia is a highly specific marker of neonatal Candida sepsis. Analysis of platelet counts is a simple laboratory test that helps to guide diagnosis and the use of early empirical therapy.
Torres Claveras
S
S
Unidad Neonatal, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain.
Dupla Arenaz
M
M
Pérez Delgado
R
R
Aliaga Mazas
Y
Y
Rebage Moisés
V
V
D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications*