Investigation of Candidemia Diagnosis by PCR Method in Febrile Neutropenic Patients with Hematological Malignancies

Objective: Candidiasis" is the predominant fungal infection that occurs invasively and opportunistically in individuals with compromised immune systems. Febrile neutropenia patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy due to malignancy, especially acute leukemia and stem cell transplantation are at greater risk among many others. In this study, it was aimed to search for Candida DNA to make an early diagnosis by using PCR method Materials & Method: This prospective study was conducted in Pediatric Hematology Transplantation Clinic of Akdeniz University. The study enrolled 78 patients with malignancies and candidiasis infection who were experiencing febrile neutropenia. The febrile neutropenic episodes were identified prospectively by monitoring the daily leukocyte counts and fever symptoms of the patients. Results: Candida was grown in the blood cultures of seven (9%) of the febrile neutropenic patients included in the study. All of the breeding Candidas were C.albicans. The underlying primary diagnosis of 6 (85.7%) of the febrile neutropenic patients with reproduction was hematological malignancy, while the underlying primary diagnosis of one (12.5%) was solid malignancy (Neuroblastoma). PCR detected Candida DNA in 9% of Febrile Neutropenic patients. C.albicans was grown in the blood cultures of all patients with Candida DNA. Conclusion: As a result, The conclusion drawn was that in cases where candidemia is suspected, particularly in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies who are immuno-compromised and at high risk of mortality, rapid and accurate diagnosis using Candida PCR with high sensitivity and specificity is necessary.