Abstract

Abstract Background While antifungal consumption in immunocompromised patients appears high, data on children are limited. We analyzed antifungal use in hospitalized immunocompromised children across Europe in order to better organize a European pediatric antifungal stewardship programs (pAFS). Methods A multicenter 12-wk modified point-prevalence study was conducted. All patients hospitalized in hematology-oncology (HO) or bone marrow/solid organ transplant (BMT/SOT) units across Europe and receiving systemic antifungals were included. Data on ward demographics and policies were collected once at the beginning; weekly ward and patient data were prospectively collected during the 12-wk study period and entered in REDCap. Systemic antifungals administered were recorded (doses, duration, reason for administration or discontinuation). Results Twenty-one HO and 10 BMT/SOT units from 18 hospitals in 11 European countries participated in the study and 572 antifungal prescriptions were recorded. The most common underlying conditions were: 69% malignancy (81% hematologic, 19% solid tumors), 20% BMT, 6% hematologic diseases except malignancy and 4% primary immunodeficiency. Indication of antifungals was prophylaxis for 439 (77%) and treatment for 133 (23%) prescriptions (62 empirical, 43 pre-emptive, 28 targeted). Most common reasons for empirical, pre-emptive and targeted treatment were antibiotic-resistant febrile neutropenia (52%), abnormalities on chest-CT with/without positive galactomannan (72%) and candidiasis (82%), respectively. For targeted treatment, the most frequent pathogens were C. albicans (50%), C. parapsilosis (11%) and A. fumigatus (11%). Overall, fluconazole and liposomal amphotericin B were the most frequently prescribed agents both for prophylaxis (31% and 21%) and treatment (32% and 23%). However, in BMT patients the most frequently prescribed antifungal agents were fluconazole or micafungin for prophylaxis and caspofungin and voriconazole for treatment (Table). Antifungal agents used per underlying condition Antifungal agents used per underlying condition Conclusion Most systemic antifungal prescribing across European HO and BMT/SOT units is for prophylaxis, and fluconazole is the main antifungal prescribed. Results from this multicenter study can be a first step to guide a Europe-wide pAFS. Disclosures Emmanuel Roilides, MD, PhD, ECMM (Research Grant or Support, Other Financial or Material Support, ECMM grant for this study)

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