Spectrum of Fungal Pathogens in Burn Wound Specimens: Data From a Tertiary Care Hospital Laboratory in Pakistan

Burn patients are at great risk of developing fungal wound infections. Fungi are frequently cultured from burn tissue specimens alone or in combination with bacteria. However, the spectrum of fungi in burn patients from Pakistan has not been reported previously. A retrospective laboratory-based study was conducted and data on all positive cultures from burn wounds were included. During the study period, specimens were cultured on appropriate media and incubated for anaerobic and aerobic growth. Clinical and demographic information recorded during clinical reporting was also collected. Seventy tissue cultures were positive for microorganisms. Of these, 27 (39%) had growth of either filamentous mold (17 cases) or Candida species (14 cases). Two cases had growth of both mold and yeast. Aspergillus flavus was the most common mold (9) followed by Fusarium species (3). Candida tropicalis was the most common yeast (7) followed by Candida parapsilosis (4). There was concomitant bacterial growth in 19 cases, predominantly of Staphylococcus aureus (13), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8), and other Gram-negative rods (6). Of the 35 patients in which treatment history was available, 33 were receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics. A high incidence of fungal isolation was seen in this study. Their findings are consistent with the global increase in fungal infections in burn wounds. High index of suspicion by clinicians and revision of culture protocols in burn patients may be warranted for optimal patient management.