Yeasts species distribution in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in northeast Argentina Das Hefeartenspektrum in Neugeborenen-Intensivstationen in Nordost-Argentinien G. E. Giusiano, M. Mangiaterra, F. Rojas and V. Go ´ mez Departamento Micologı´a, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Argentina Summary The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile of yeast species isolated from neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in northeast of Argentina. With this purpose 92 strains isolated from 25 blood stream cultures, 20 venous catheters, 23 suprapubic aspirations and 24 rectal swabs were studied. Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis appeared with similar frequencies (36%) in blood stream isolates. Candida parapsilosis (50%) was the most frequent catheters colonizer and C. tropicalis (54.2%) was the most frequent yeast associated with gastrointestinal tract colonization. Candida krusei, C. glabrata and Trichosporon cutaneum appeared with a very low frequency. A high rate of susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole was observed. Zusammenfassung Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war, das Artenspektrum und die Antimykotika-Empfindlichkeit von Hefeisolaten bei Neugeborenen in Intensivstationen im argentinischen Nordosten festzustellen. Insgesamt wurden 92 Sta ¨mme gepru ¨ ft, davon 25 aus Blutkulturen, 20 aus Venenkathetern, 23 aus suprapubischen Aspiraten und 24 aus rektalen Tupfern. Candida albicans und C. parapsilosis fanden sich in Blutkulturen mit a ¨hnlicher Ha ¨ufigkeit (36%). C. parapsilosis war der ha ¨ufigste Katheterbesiedler (50%), C. tropicalis (54,2%) der ha ¨ufigste Magen–Darmbesiedler. C. krusei, C. glabrata und Trichosporon cutaneum wurden nur selten isoliert. Hohe Empfindlichkeit fu ¨ r Amphotericin B, Fluconazol und Itraconazol wurde beobachtet. Key words: Candida, neonates, intensive care, antifungal susceptibility, epidemiology, Argentina. Schlu ¨ sselwo ¨ rter: Candida, Neugeborene, Intensivpflege, Empfindlichkeit, Epidemiologie, Argentinien. Introduction Fungemia is a frequent problem in pediatric hospitalized patients, particularly among neonates in Intensive Care Units (ICU). A statistically significant association has been demonstrated between the occurrence of candide- mia and venous catheters, as well as with prolonged hyperalimentation. In children with hematological illnesses, the presence of a central venous catheter and the induction of neutropenia during chemotherapy are considered the greatest risks for subsequent fungal infection. 1–3 Likewise, immunodeficiencies and pro- longed antibiotic therapies are important factors, which predispose for the development of blood stream infec- tions by Candida species. 4,5 Important changes in the epidemiology of hemato- genous candidosis have been observed, as well as a Correspondence: Dr Gustavo E. Giusiano, Departamento de Micologı´a, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Av. Las Heras 727, 3500 Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina. Tel.: +54-3722-428213. Fax: +54-3722-422793. E-mail: gusgiusi@bib.unne.edu.ar Accepted for publication 20 June 2003 Original article 300 Ó 2004 Blackwell Publishing Ltd • Mycoses, 47, 300–303