Outcome and characteristics of invasive fungal infections in critically ill burn patients: A multicenter retrospective study

Background Characteristics and outcome of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in critically ill burn patients have been poorly explored. Objectives We report the factors associated with 90-day mortality in a multicentre retrospective European study. Patients/Methods All burn patients with confirmed IFI admitted between 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2015 in 10 centres in France and Belgium were included. Results Ninety-four patients were enrolled with 110 cases of IFIs: 79 (71.8%) were yeasts IFI and 31 (28.2%) filamentous IFI. Incidence was 1% among admitted patients. The 90-day mortality was 37.2% for all IFIs combined, 52% for filamentous infection and 31.9% for yeast infection. Patients with more than one IFI had a higher 90-day mortality than patients with only one episode (61.5% vs 33.5% (P = .006)). In multivariate analysis, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (OR = 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02-1.09) P = .003), bacterial co-infection (OR = 3.85 (95% CI: 1.23-12.01), P = .014) and use of skin allografts at the time of IFI diagnosis (OR = 3.87 (95% CI: 1.31-11.42), P = .021) were associated with 90-day mortality. Conclusions Although rare, invasive fungal infections remain associated with poor outcome in burn patients. Bacterial co-infection and presence of allograft were potentially modifiable factors independently associated with outcome.