A case of Candida famata sepsis in a very low birth weight infant successfully treated with fluconazole following antifungal susceptibility testing

Abstract

Late onset of fungal sepsis in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is common and has a high mortality and morbidity. Many of these infants were also receiving fluconazole prophylaxis. Amphotericin is often started when invasive neonatal candidiasis is suspected and has significant side effects. Antifungal susceptibility testing can be extremely useful in deciding optimal antifungal therapy. We report a case of successful treatment of fungal sepsis due to Candida famata in a VLBW infant where fluconazole was continued in therapeutic dose following sensitivity testing. This case report highlights the growing number of cases arising due to nonalbicans Candida infections in the neonatal intensive care units and the usefulness of antifungal susceptibility testing in deciding optimal antifungal therapy and preventing the emergence of drug resistance.