1167. Got Micafungin? The Incidence of Fungemia in Patients with Septic Shock

BACKGROUND: Timely administration of antibiotics in patients presenting with sepsis decreases mortality, however evidence evaluating empiric antifungal coverage has been inconclusive. Recent data have shown no mortality benefit of empiric antifungal therapy in patients with ICU-acquired sepsis. Despite the lack of data, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends empiric coverage for all suspected pathogens, including fungi. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of concomitant septic shock and fungemia at UMass Memorial Medical Center, a large tertiary care center. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study that included adult patients with a discharge diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock and/or fungemia admitted to UMMMC between October 2017 and October 2019. Patients with positive fungal blood cultures were further reviewed to identify if septic shock was present within 24 hours of blood culture collection. Additionally, risk factors for fungemia and 30-day mortality were assessed. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, cultures from outside hospitals, incarceration, and hospice care. RESULTS: In the analysis period, 4,253 patients had a discharge diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock. There were 68 cases of fungemia. In total, 54 patients with fungemia were included after applying exclusion criteria. Of the 54 patients with fungemia, 8 patients (15.1%) met criteria for septic shock at the time of positive blood culture, while 81% met SIRS criteria. Of the 4,253 total patients, 0.19% had coexisting fungemia and septic shock. At 30 days, four patients (7.4%) with both septic shock and fungemia had expired out of 12 total deaths. Three of the four deaths had multiple risk factors for fungemia including central line in place for greater than 48 hours, parenteral nutrition, and prolonged antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Septic shock is a rare presentation of fungemia. Most patients with septic shock and fungemia have known risk factors. Despite recommendations by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign to initiate therapy for all likely pathogens, including fungal species, the incidence of fungemia presenting as septic shock at our academic medical center was very low and does not appear to warrant empiric coverage. DISCLOSURES: All Authors: No reported disclosures