Outcomes Comparing Initial Short vs Long Course Echinocandin Therapy in Patients with Candidemia Caused by Fluconazole Susceptible Strains

Abstract

Background Guidelines for candidemia (CAND) treatment recommend initial echinocandin (ECHINO) therapy with transition to fluconazole (FLUC) after 5–7 days in patients with clinical stability, FLUC-susceptibility, and negative cultures; however, optimal timing for transition is unknown. In the era of rapid diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP), studies are needed to evaluate the impact of earlier transition in CAND due to routinely FLUC-susceptible species.Methods Retrospective study of adult patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital from 2012 to 2014. Inclusion criteria included ≥1 blood culture with C. albicans, C. tropicalis or C. parapsilosis, ≥1 dose ECHINO initial therapy, ≥3 days total treatment, and no prior episode of CAND within 30 days. Patients with polymicrobial bloodstream infection excluded. Patients de-escalated from ECHINO at ≤3 days (short-course; SC-ECH) were compared with those who received ≥4 days of ECHINO (long course; LC-ECH). The primary outcome was 14-day complete response (CR), defined as survival with clinical improvement and sterilization of blood cultures. Secondary outcomes included day 7 microbiological success (MicroS) and 28-day survival (SURV).Results76 patients included: 21 in SC-ECH, 55 in LC-ECH groups. C. albicans (58%) most common species. Majority were male (59%) with median age 64 years (IQR 49–74), 62% were in ICU at time of CAND, 50% had recent surgery. No significant baseline differences between SC-ECH and LC-ECH groups, including in PITT bacteremia score ≥4 (43% vs. 42%; P = 0.4) or median APACHE (20 vs. 20; P = 0.684). There was no difference between SC-ECH vs. LC-ECH in CR (52% vs. 49%; P = 1.0), early MicroS (81% vs. 87%; P = 0.484), or SURV (62% vs. 73%; P = 0.523). On multivariable analysis with duration of ECHINO therapy forced into the model, only PITT bacteremia score <4 remained an independent predictor of CR (OR 6.1, 95% CI 2.1, 17.9; P = 0.001).Conclusion In adult patients with CAND due to routinely FLUC-susceptible species, early de-escalation from ECHINO was associated with similar outcomes, including day 7 MicroS. Early de-escalation based on early species identification has the potential to be a target for ASPs to optimize antifungal therapy without compromising clinical outcomes.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.