Infections represent the most common complication occurring during the evolution of the severely burned patient, hence requiring closer study and targeted result analysis. The fungal infections are one of the most aggressive types of existing infections, their opportunistic character enabling them to cause invasive infections, ultimately leading to a higher morbidity and a higher rate of mortality. The present study focuses on the presence of Candida spp. in 19 out of a total of 70 patients admitted to the Critical Care Burn Unit in the Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest, between 01.01.2019-31.12.2019. No other fungal species, besides Candida spp., were identified in this patient lot. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors and the dynamics of the biological parameters of the patients presenting Candida spp. infections, in order to determine how these contribute to the prognostic and final outcome of these patients. We can conclude that a precise diagnostic and prompt treatment can make a significant difference in the outcome of severely burnt patients presenting with a fungal infection.

Severe burn injuries represent a major challenge to the entire healthcare system in developing countries and even for states with a high standard of care. A clear understanding of the physiopathology of burn injuries is essential for providing an adequate prompt treatment to ensure an optimal patient outcome. Early recognition and treatment of burns complications, especially severe infections represent an important prevention strategy, improving survival after these severe injuries. Specific treatment must be conducted according to the characteristics of the patients in order to reduce morbidity and mortality and avoid the development of antimicrobial resistance. A diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm is presented, centered on infectious source prevention and control with early surgical excision and skin grafting together with culture-guided antimicrobial therapy. It is a known fact that, indifferent of the involved germ, the best intervention for both prophylaxis and treatment of infections in the burn patient is the early excision of the devitalized tissue and subsequent closure of burn wounds with skin grafts, measures that diminish local and systemic mediator releasing effects in burnt tissue, attenuating the progressive inflammatory chain.

Infections are the most severe and the most frequent complication in major burns requiring adequate diagnosis and treatment. Extensive burned areas, impaired immune system and antibiotic therapy contribute to the development of opportunistic fungal infections. An important aspect is the increased level of antimicrobial resistance in our country. We present a two years study on the burn patients hospitalized in our institution. A total of 355 burned patients were hospitalized during this period, 210 (59%) of them being addmited in Critical Care Burn Unit. We noted the main infectious complications and established a dinamic microbian mapping during patient hospitalization. Fungal infections were noted. We performed microbiological screening: testing at admission and once a week or in case of clinical signs from all potential sites. For the clinical therapy of mycoses, it is mandatory to know whether a fungal colonization or a fungal infection is involved. Unfortunately, often in severe burned patients, clinical presentation is unspecific and sensitivity of diagnostic results may be unreliable. Invasive fungal infections due to Candida species and Aspergillus species are important emerging causes of morbidity and mortality. The systemic use of antifungal agents is conducted depending on the general condition of the burn patient, the fungal species involved and the confirmation of fungemia. In conclusion, specific treatment of infectious complications has to be conducted according to the characteristics of the patients in order to reduce morbidity and mortality and avoid the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Major burn represents the most severe type of trauma, requiring high standard of treatment into regional specialized bun care centers[1]. According to American Burn Association(ABA), a major burn, which requires hospitalization in burn units, is represented by at least one of the following situations[2,3] [...]