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Background Candidemia is a common healthcare-associated infection with high mortality. Estimates of recurrence range from 1% to 17%. Few studies have focused on those with recurrent candidemia, who often experience more severe illness and greater treatment failure. We describe recurrent candidemia trends and risk factors. Methods We analyzed population-based candidemia surveillance data collected during 2011–2018. Persons with >1 episode (defined as the 30-day period after a positive Candida species) were classified as having recurrent candidemia. We compared factors during the initial episode between those who developed recurrent candidemia and those who did not. Results Of the 5428 persons identified with candidemia, 326 (6%) had recurrent infection. Recurrent episodes occurred 1.0 month to 7.6 years after any previous episode. In multivariable logistic regression controlling for surveillance site and year, recurrent candidemia was associated with being 19–44 years old (vs ≥65 years; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.05 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.10–4.44]), being discharged to a private residence (vs medical facility; aOR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.12–2.08]), hospitalization in the 90 days prior to initial episode (aOR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.27–2.18]), receipt of total parenteral nutrition (aOR, 2.08 [95% CI, 1.58–2.73]), and hepatitis C infection (aOR, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.12–2.43]). Conclusions Candidemia recurrence >30 days after initial infection occurred in >1 in 20 persons with candidemia. Associations with younger age and hepatitis C suggest injection drug use may play a modifiable role. Prevention efforts targeting central line care and total parenteral nutrition use may help reduce the risk of recurrent candidemia.

We evaluated healthcare facility use of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes for culture-confirmed candidemia cases detected by active public health surveillance during 2019–2020. Most cases (56%) did not receive a candidiasis code, suggesting that studies relying on ICD-10 codes likely underestimate disease burden.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented healthcare challenges, and COVID-19 has been linked to secondary infections. Candidemia, a fungal healthcare-associated infection, has been described in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. However, studies of candidemia and COVID-19 coinfection have been limited in sample size and geographic scope. We assessed differences in patients with candidemia with and without a COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods We conducted a case-level analysis using population-based candidemia surveillance data collected through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infections Program during April–August 2020 to compare characteristics of candidemia patients with and without a positive test for COVID-19 in the 30 days before their Candida culture using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Results Of the 251 candidemia patients included, 64 (25.5%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Liver disease, solid-organ malignancies, and prior surgeries were each >3 times more common in patients without COVID-19 coinfection, whereas intensive care unit–level care, mechanical ventilation, having a central venous catheter, and receipt of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants were each >1.3 times more common in patients with COVID-19. All-cause in-hospital fatality was 2 times higher among those with COVID-19 (62.5%) than without (32.1%). Conclusions One-quarter of candidemia patients had COVID-19. These patients were less likely to have certain underlying conditions and recent surgery commonly associated with candidemia and more likely to have acute risk factors linked to COVID-19 care, including immunosuppressive medications. Given the high mortality, it is important for clinicians to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to prevent candidemia in patients with COVID-19.

Background Invasive mold diseases (IMDs) cause severe illness, but public health surveillance data are lacking. We describe data collected from a laboratory-based, pilot IMD surveillance system. Methods During 2017–2019, the Emerging Infections Program conducted active IMD surveillance at 3 Atlanta-area hospitals. We ascertained potential cases by reviewing histopathology, culture, and Aspergillus galactomannan results and classified patients as having an IMD case (based on European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group [MSG] criteria) or a non-MSG IMD case (based on the treating clinician’s diagnosis and use of mold-active antifungal therapy). We described patient features and compared patients with MSG vs non-MSG IMD cases. Results Among 304 patients with potential IMD, 104 (34.2%) met an IMD case definition (41 MSG, 63 non-MSG). The most common IMD types were invasive aspergillosis (n = 66 [63.5%]), mucormycosis (n = 8 [7.7%]), and fusariosis (n = 4 [3.8%]); the most frequently affected body sites were pulmonary (n = 66 [63.5%]), otorhinolaryngologic (n = 17 [16.3%]), and cutaneous/deep tissue (n = 9 [8.7%]). Forty-five (43.3%) IMD patients received intensive care unit–level care, and 90-day all-cause mortality was 32.7%; these outcomes did not differ significantly between MSG and non-MSG IMD patients. Conclusions IMD patients had high mortality rates and a variety of clinical presentations. Comprehensive IMD surveillance is needed to assess emerging trends, and strict application of MSG criteria for surveillance might exclude over one-half of clinically significant IMD cases.

Background Invasive mold infections (IMI) such as aspergillosis and mucormycosis are often fatal among immunocompromised patients and cause high-profile outbreaks. Public health surveillance for IMI is challenging; most epidemiologic studies are limited to transplant and cancer patients at greatest risk of IMI. The established Mycoses Study Group (MSG) case definition is useful for clinical trials but lacks sensitivity. To address these challenges, we created IMI surveillance within the Georgia Emerging Infections Program. Here, we describe cases identified through this system, using both the MSG criteria and a novel, more sensitive surveillance case definition. Methods To identify potential IMI cases, we captured 2,363 positive fungal laboratory results, including cultures, histopathology, and galactomannan tests, within a 60-day window at three large Atlanta hospitals during April 2018–March 2019. We excluded yeast and dimorphic fungi, hair and nail specimens, and cystic fibrosis patients. Potential cases underwent chart review and were classified by 2 physicians as proven, probable, or non-case according to MSG criteria. Cases that partially met MSG probable criteria and included antifungal treatment were classified as surveillance cases; definitions were mutually exclusive (Fig 1). Results Of 120 potential IMI cases, 46 (38%) met an IMI case definition: 8 proven, 9 probable, and 29 surveillance cases (Fig 2). Of cases, 14 (30%) involved transplant or cancer in the previous year; 8 of these were proven or probable cases. IMI presented primarily as sinusitis among proven cases (50%), and pulmonary infections among probable (56%) and surveillance (45%) cases. Most surveillance cases were caused by Aspergillus spp. (72%) and accounted for all 5 cutaneous IMI (fig 3). Over 80% of cases vs. 10% of non-cases had antifungal treatment. Conclusion Of IMI cases identified, nearly two thirds had evidence of infection but did not meet an MSG case definition. MSG captured over half of transplant and cancer-associated cases, but these were uncommon overall, revealing most IMI lack classical risk factors. A more sensitive surveillance case definition can capture a broader spectrum of IMI patients receiving antifungal treatment to help guide clinical and public health interventions. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background: Candidemia is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although risk factors for candidemia and other bloodstream infections (BSIs) overlap, little is known about patient characteristics and the outcomes of polymicrobial infections. We used data from the CDC Emerging Infections Program (EIP) candidemia surveillance to describe polymicrobial candidemia infections and to assess clinical differences compared with Candida-only BSIs. Methods: During January 2017–December 2017 active, population-based candidemia surveillance was conducted in 45 counties in 9 states covering ~6% of the US population through the CDC EIP. A case was defined as a blood culture with Candida spp in a surveillance-area resident; a blood culture >30 days from the initial culture was considered a second case. Demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from medical records by trained EIP staff. We examined characteristics of polymicrobial cases, in which Candida and ≥1 non-Candida organism were isolated from a blood specimen on the same day, and compared these to Candida-only cases using logistic regression or t tests using SAS v 9.4 software. Results: Of the 1,221 candidemia cases identified during 2017, 215 (10.2%) were polymicrobial. Among polymicrobial cases, 50 (23%) involved ≥3 organisms. The most common non-Candida organisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 30, 14%), Enterococcus faecalis (n = 26, 12%), Enterococcus faecium (n = 17, 8%), and Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 15 each, 7%). Patients with polymicrobial cases were significantly younger than those with Candida-only cases (54.3 vs 60.7 years; P < .0004). Healthcare exposures commonly associated with candidemia like total parenteral nutrition (relative risk [RR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.60–1.13) and surgery (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.77–1.29) were similar between the 2 groups. Polymicrobial cases had shorter median time from admission to positive culture (1 vs 4 days, P < .001), were more commonly associated with injection drug use (RR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.46–2.61), and were more likely to be community onset-healthcare associated (RR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.50–2.44). Polymicrobial cases were associated with shorter hospitalization (14 vs 17 days; P = .031), less ICU care (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.51–0.83), and lower mortality (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.50–0.92). Conclusions: One in 10 candidemia cases were polymicrobial, with nearly one-quarter of those involving ≥3 organisms. Lower mortality among polymicrobial cases is surprising but may reflect the younger age and lower severity of infection of this population. Greater injection drug use, central venous catheter use, and long-term care exposures among polymicrobial cases suggest that injection or catheter practices play a role in these infections and may guide prevention opportunities.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Background Candidemia is a bloodstream infection commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality. Failure to clear candidemia can lengthen hospitalization and treatment. Factors associated with candidemia clearance are unknown. Methods We analyzed 2017 candidemia surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infections Program. Data from eight sites (counties in California, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Tennessee) were included. Clearance was defined as having a blood culture negative for Candida ≤30 days after initial culture date (ICD). Cases with unknown clearance, unknown survival outcome, or death ≤30 days of ICD were excluded. Demographic and clinical factors associated with clearance were assessed with bivariate analysis using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) using backward selection (p-value< 0.10). Results Of 1,024 candidemia cases, 737 were included and 582 (79%) demonstrated clearance, of which 79% had evidence of clearance ≤5 days after ICD. In bivariate analysis, clearance was associated with central venous catheter (CVC) ≤2 days before ICD, CVC removal ≤7 days after ICD, and systemic antifungal medication within 14 days before ICD. Clearance was inversely associated with black race and admission from another hospital. In multivariable analysis, only race and admission from another hospital were significant predictors; age, sex, and CVC presence and subsequent removal were also retained for their clinical relevance. In the final model, clearance was less likely among black patients (aOR 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.91) and those admitted from another hospital (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11-0.75). Table 1. Bivariate associations for select variables between individuals with documented candidemia clearance and those without documented clearance in eight Emerging Infections Program surveillance sites, 2017 Conclusion We found failure to clear candidemia infection to be associated with black race and prior hospital exposure, but not other factors previously shown to be associated (e.g., comorbidities, CVC presence). These associations could reflect illness severity, access to care, or other obstacles to effective treatment. Additional research is needed to investigate these associations further and identify other factors (e.g., treatment type and timing) to improve outcomes. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Infectious Diseases Society of America/Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (IDSA/SHEA) guidelines describe recommended therapy for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). To describe CDI treatment and, among those with severe CDI, determine predictors of adherence to the 2010 IDSA/SHEA treatment guidelines. We analyzed 2013–2015 CDI treatment data collected through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infections Program. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify predictors of guideline-adherent therapy. A CDI case was defined as a positive stool specimen in a person aged ≥ 18 years without a positive test in the prior 8 weeks; severe CDI cases were defined as having a white blood cell count ≥ 15,000 cells/μl. Prescribing and predictors of guideline-adherent CDI therapy for severe disease. Of 18,243 cases, 14,257 (78%) were treated with metronidazole, 7683 (42%) with vancomycin, and 313 (2%) with fidaxomicin. The median duration of therapy was 14 (interquartile range, 11–15) days. Severe CDI was identified in 3250 (18%) cases; of 3121 with treatment data available, 1480 (47%) were prescribed guideline-adherent therapy. Among severe CDI cases, hospital admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.90, 3.24), age ≥ 65 years (aOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.10, 1.71), Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 3 (aOR 1.27; 95% CI 1.04, 1.55), immunosuppressive therapy (aOR 1.21; 95% CI 1.02, 1.42), and inflammatory bowel disease (aOR 1.56; 95% CI 1.13, 2.17) were associated with being prescribed guideline-adherent therapy. Provider adherence to the 2010 treatment guidelines for severe CDI was low. Although the updated 2017 CDI guidelines, which expand the use of oral vancomycin for all CDI, might improve adherence by removing the need to apply severity criteria, other efforts to improve adherence are likely needed, including educating providers and addressing barriers to prescribing guideline-adherent therapy, particularly in outpatient settings.

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common healthcare-associated infection, particularly among older adults. We used laboratory-confirmed CDI surveillance data from 8 states participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infections Program linked to claims data for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) beneficiaries to measure variation in 1-year outcomes associated with CDI. Methods A CDI case was defined as a positive C. difficile stool test in 2014 in a person without a positive test in the prior 8 weeks. Cases aged ≥65 years were linked to their CMS beneficiary ID using unique combinations of date of birth, sex, and zip code. Each case was matched to five control beneficiaries who did not link to any case and were residents of the same catchment area. Inclusion criteria were continuous fee-for-service Medicare for the entire study period (1 year before and after event date), and no hospitalization or skilled nursing facility stay with an ICD-9-CM code for CDI in the year prior to their match date. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare mortality and hospitalization for 1 year following the event date between beneficiaries with and without CDI, adjusting for age, sex, race, catchment area, chronic conditions, number of hospitalizations in the prior year, and hospitalization status at the time of and 7 days preceding the event date. Results Of 5,097 cases aged ≥65, 3,082 (60%) were linked to a CMS ID, and 1,832 (59%) met inclusion criteria. In crude analysis, 34% of beneficiaries with CDI died within 1 year, compared with 5% of beneficiaries without CDI. Beneficiaries with CDI were also more likely to be hospitalized in the subsequent year (54% vs. 17%). Beneficiaries with CDI had a higher adjusted odds of death (adjusted OR 3.01, 95% CI: 2.46, 3.69) and hospitalization within 1 year (adjusted OR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.65, 2.25) than those without CDI. Conclusion Older adults with CDI were three times more likely to die in the year following infection and nearly two times more likely to be hospitalized compared with those without CDI, revealing independent long-term risk of poor outcomes. This excess morbidity and mortality supports the need to develop novel CDI prevention strategies for this population. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.