175. There Was a Fungus Among Us: A Cohort of Fungal Infectious Endocarditis Cases in East Tennessee

BACKGROUND: Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) represents less than 2% of all IE cases, but it carries a mortality rate as high as 50%. While cases of IE are on the rise in recent years due to the increased prevalence of persons who inject drugs (PWID), there are few published studies of fungus as the cause. Candida species is the most likely fungal pathogen in IE. Known risk factors include prosthetic heart valves, healthcare-associated infections, and injection drug use. Since fungi are a rare culprit in endocarditis, there is little information on incidence, treatment recommendations, and outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients with Candida IE was analyzed between October 2013 and September 2018 at a university hospital in East Tennessee. Demographic, microbiologic, substance use status, mortality, and echocardiographic data were collected. RESULTS: Nine patients with Candida IE met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 37, 67% were males. Risk factors included PWID, oral opioid abuse, previous valve surgery and autoimmune disease. 5 (55%) were caused by Candida albicans, 3 (33.3%) Candida paraipsalosis, and 1 (11%) grew both Candida tropicalis and albicans. Valves involved: 4 (66.7%) native tricuspid, 2 (22%) native aortic. 2 (22%) had native mitral, 1 (11%) had both tricuspid and mitral valve involvement. Echinocandins were used in 5 (55%) and 2 (22%) underwent surgery. There was 1 (11%) in-hospital mortality and 2 (22%) within 1 year of discharge (Table 1). CONCLUSION: Fungal IE is a rare disease with high mortality and increasing incidence, especially in PWID. High index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis. Treatment is traditionally a combination of surgery and antifungal therapy. Although, medical treatment alone can be successful in patients who are not surgical candidates, such as in PWID. [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.