Systemic Candidosis Diagnostic Test with Candida Score and Monocyte Count in Premature Infants with Late-Onset Sepsis: Research in Low Resources Country

Abstract

Introduction. Candida is the cause of most systemic fungal infections that plays a role in the pathophysiology of sepsis in newborns, especially in premature infants with late-onset sepsis. The Candida score can be used to assess the occurrence of systemic candidosis where a Candida score 2.5 can accurately identify patients who are at high risk for candidiasis infection. Monocytes also play an important role in preventing candida invasion. Materials and methods. This study used a cross sectional research design. Data was collected from premature infants with late-onset sepsis being suspected of systemic candidosis in neonatology inpatient ward. It was submitted from the period of November-December 2021. It takes a minimum of 31 samples to meet the criteria to process and analyze the data. The data obtained were processed and analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) method to obtain the Area Under Curve (AUC) value. Based on the AUC curve, the search for the most optimal intersection is carried out to obtain the sensitivity and specificity values. Results. Of the 31 research subjects, the number of subjects with positive PCR results was 27 (76.93%) while negative were 4 respondents (12.9%). The mean value of PCR density in the positive group of subjects was 76.93 and the range was 40.23122.78. Meanwhile, in the group of subjects who were negative, the PCR density value was 0. The results of the Candida score diagnostic test showed that the sensitivity obtained was 81%. Higher sensitivity and specificity 70% were found in the combined examination of Candida scores and monocyte counts according to cut-off compared with separate examinations. Conclusions. The combined examination of Candida score and monocyte count can be used as a diagnostic test for systemic candidosis in premature infants with late-onset sepsis, and could be used to consider the initiation of empirical antifungal therapy, either prophylactically or therapeutically, especially in limited laboratory facilities in Indonesia.