Micafungin Versus Amphotercine B in Treatment of Invasive Fungal Infection

The incidence of fungal infection has increased dramatically over the past few decades.This is due to increase in survival rates of preterm neonates, advances in medical technology and drug therapy, broad spectrum antibiotics and parenteral nutrition . The resistance to antifungal agents has increased. This study will assess the efficacy of micafungin versus amphotericin B in neonates with positive fungal culture.

Neonatal candidiasis is associated with significant mortality and morbidity and high rates of neuro-developmental impairment on follow up Prevalence of invasive fungal infection (IFI) has increased in neonates during the last two decades due to increased survival rate even in the extremely premature neonates. Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are responsible for the majority of candidiasis in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) According to the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID)guidelines published in 2012, Micafungin, amphotericin B deoxycholate, and fluconazole are recommended as first line treatment of invasive candidiasis in neonates Currently, fluconazole and micafungin are among the most frequently used antifungal agents for the treatment of neonatal invasive candidiasis High dose of micafungin (8 to 15 mg/kg/day) can be used with neonates and infant with invasive candidiasis In this study we will explore the effectiveness and safety of micafungin for treatment of candidiasis after fluconazole for preterm neonates with invasive fungal infection and to compare it with amphotericin B.