The aim of our study was to perform molecular typing on 25 clinical samples of Candida spp that were isolated from children with candidemia who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital between 1998 and 2006. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the medical records to ascertain the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Yeast identification was done using conventional methods and susceptibility to antifungals was assessed using a microdilution method. The genetic profile was determined using the RAPD-PCR technique. Candida albicans (11; 44%) and Candida parapsilosis (10; 40%) were the species most frequently isolated. Seventeen (68%) of the newborns weighed less than 1,500g. Prematurity (92%) and use of a central venous catheter (100%) were the risk conditions with greatest association. Nineteen patients (76%) died. Only one strain of Candida parapsilosis showed dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole. Molecular analysis showed 11 distinct genetic patterns. An epidemiological relationship was seen in only two cases, thus suggesting the same source of infection.
Candidemia; Candida; Neonatal; Molecular typing
