508 Fungal Infections in Burn Patients from 2014–2019: A 5-year Retrospective Review

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Topical and systemic antibiotic agents used to treat burn wounds allow for fungal growth. Fungal infections often occur later in the hospital course and carry a higher mortality rate than bacterial infections in critically ill burn patients. The primary objective of this study was to describe the incidence and characteristics of fungal infections in our burn center. Methods This was a retrospective chart review. Subjects who were admitted between January 2014 and February 2019 after sustaining a burn injury and received a systemic antifungal agent were included. All cultures and histopathology results that were positive for fungus were recorded. Results Ninety one subjects were included in this analysis. The average age was 42.3±16.9 years and 74 (81.3%) subjects were male. Seventy four (81.3%) subjects were admitted after flame burn. The average burn size was 40.1±24.2% TBSA. The average hospital length of stay was 57.2±44.8 days. Thirty eight (41.7%) subjects died during their hospital stay. The 91 subjects had 220 cultures positive for fungi: 29 blood cultures, 19 BAL cultures, 23 sputum cultures, 118 tissue cultures, and 31 urine cultures. The most common fungal genera isolated were: Candida (n=146), Aspergillus (n=55), and Fusarium (n=44). Twenty six (28.6%) subjects had histopathology results that showed fungus in non-viable tissue, with an average time from injury to fungus of 20.4±11.8 days. Twenty six (28.6%) subjects had histopathology results that showed fungus in viable tissue, with an average time from injury to fungus of 22.7±16.7 days. Of note, these were not the group that had fungus in non-viable tissue. Twelve (13.2%) subjects had angioinvasion, with an average time to angioinvasion of 26.6±22 days. The 91 subjects received 133 courses of antifungals. The average course of antifungal therapy was 7.8±8.9 days. The most common antifungals used were: micafungin (n=54), fluconazole (n=53), and liposomal amphotericin B (n=44). Conclusions Patients who were started on a systemic antifungal had a high mortality rate. Common fungi isolated included Candida and Aspergillus, which is consistent with previous literature. Further research is needed on the early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and timely management of fungal infections in this patient population. Applicability of Research to Practice Fungal infections after burn injury carry a high mortality rate. Early recognition and timely management of these infections is paramount.