COVID-19 and Candida duobushaemulonii superinfection: A case report.
INTRODUCTION
Critically ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk for nosocomial bacterial and fungal infections due to several predisposing factors such as intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Data regarding multidrug resistant (MDR) Candida species in COVID-19 patients is scarce, and nonexistent regarding Candida duobushaemulonii superinfections.


CASE DESCRIPTION
A 34-year-old male presented to our institution with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 infection and developed Candida duobushaemulonii fungemia after multiple courses of antibiotics and prolonged mechanical ventilation. He died after recurrent pneumothorax led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.


DISCUSSION
Bacterial and fungal infections are common complications of viral pneumonia in critically ill patients. Data regarding these infections in COVID-19 patients has been poorly studied with only a few cases reporting secondary infection, mostly without identifying specific pathogens. Prolonged hospital stays, invasive interventions (central venous catheter, mechanical ventilation), and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in COVID-19 infections could carry a high risk of bacterial and/or fungal superinfections.


CONCLUSION
Strategies to improve outcome in COVID-19 ICU patients should include early recognition of candidemia and appropriate antifungal therapy.
['Awada|Bassem|B|', 'Alam|Walid|W|', 'Chalfoun|Maria|M|', 'Araj|George|G|', 'Bizri|Abdul Rahman|AR|']
D000328:Adult D000935:Antifungal Agents D000086382:COVID-19 D002175:Candida D058387:Candidemia D017809:Fatal Outcome D006801:Humans D008297:Male D012121:Respiration, Artificial D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome D004718:Saccharomycetales D015163:Superinfection
COVID-19 Candida duobushaemulonii Mechanical ventilation Broad-spectrum antibiotics Multidrug resistance ICU