This study aimed to investigate changes in candidemia incidence, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, initial antifungal use, and mortality trends in Korea before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis was conducted on candidemia cases from two tertiary care hospitals in Korea between 2017 and 2022. Data were compared between the pre-pandemic (2017-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods. Statistical methods included incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and multivariate Cox regression to assess 30-day mortality risk factors. A total of 470 candidemia cases were identified, with 48.7% occurring pre-pandemic and 51.3% during the pandemic. While the overall incidence of candidemia remained similar across the two periods (IRR 1.15;p=0.13), the incidence in intensive care units (ICUs) significantly increased during the pandemic (IRR 1.50; p<0.01). The distribution of Candida species did not differ significantly between the two periods. Fluconazole non-susceptibility in C. albicans markedly decreased (10.0% vs. 0.9%, p<0.01), whereas C. glabrata exhibited a significant rise in caspofungin non-susceptibility during the pandemic (0% vs. 22.4%, p<0.01).Echinocandin use increased (21.8% vs. 34.4%; p<0.01), while fluconazole use declined (48.0% vs. 32.8%; p<0.01). Although the 30-day mortality rate was higher during the pandemic (60.2% vs. 57.2%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.57).The findings highlight the need for region-specific surveillance and tailored management strategies to improve candidemia outcomes, especially during healthcare disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to investigate changes in candidemia incidence, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, initial antifungal use, and mortality trends in Korea before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis was conducted on candidemia cases from two tertiary care hospitals in Korea between 2017 and 2022. Data were compared between the pre-pandemic (2017-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods. Statistical methods included incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and multivariate Cox regression to assess 30-day mortality risk factors. A total of 470 candidemia cases were identified, with 48.7% occurring pre-pandemic and 51.3% during the pandemic. While the overall incidence of candidemia remained similar across the two periods (IRR 1.15;p=0.13), the incidence in intensive care units (ICUs) significantly increased during the pandemic (IRR 1.50; p<0.01). The distribution of Candida species did not differ significantly between the two periods. Fluconazole non-susceptibility in C. albicans markedly decreased (10.0% vs. 0.9%, p<0.01), whereas C. glabrata exhibited a significant rise in caspofungin non-susceptibility during the pandemic (0% vs. 22.4%, p<0.01).Echinocandin use increased (21.8% vs. 34.4%; p<0.01), while fluconazole use declined (48.0% vs. 32.8%; p<0.01). Although the 30-day mortality rate was higher during the pandemic (60.2% vs. 57.2%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.57).The findings highlight the need for region-specific surveillance and tailored management strategies to improve candidemia outcomes, especially during healthcare disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to investigate changes in candidemia incidence, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, initial antifungal use, and mortality trends in Korea before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis was conducted on candidemia cases from two tertiary care hospitals in Korea between 2017 and 2022. Data were compared between the pre-pandemic (2017-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods. Statistical methods included incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and multivariate Cox regression to assess 30-day mortality risk factors. A total of 470 candidemia cases were identified, with 48.7% occurring pre-pandemic and 51.3% during the pandemic. While the overall incidence of candidemia remained similar across the two periods (IRR 1.15;p=0.13), the incidence in intensive care units (ICUs) significantly increased during the pandemic (IRR 1.50; p<0.01). The distribution of Candida species did not differ significantly between the two periods. Fluconazole non-susceptibility in C. albicans markedly decreased (10.0% vs. 0.9%, p<0.01), whereas C. glabrata exhibited a significant rise in caspofungin non-susceptibility during the pandemic (0% vs. 22.4%, p<0.01).Echinocandin use increased (21.8% vs. 34.4%; p<0.01), while fluconazole use declined (48.0% vs. 32.8%; p<0.01). Although the 30-day mortality rate was higher during the pandemic (60.2% vs. 57.2%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.57).The findings highlight the need for region-specific surveillance and tailored management strategies to improve candidemia outcomes, especially during healthcare disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) and apocrine hidrocystoma (AH) are benign apocrine neoplasms that usually occur separately. SCAP arises predominantly in head and neck, while AH typically develop in periorbital area. We report a case of a 68-year-old male with an asymptomatic erythematous papulonodule that occurred on his back 3 years ago. Histologic examination showed cystic invagination extending from the epidermis into the dermis with some papillary projections. The invaginated portion was lined by epithelial bilayer composed of cuboidal and columnar cells, and decapitation secretion was observed in the inner epithelial layer. In the deep dermis, multiple cystic spaces with variable sizes were observed, and these cysts also presented double layers of the epithelium and decapitation secretion.According to such histologic features, the coexistence of SCAP and AH within a single lesion was demonstrated. The patient was recommended to completely remove the remaining lesion after punch biopsy, but he refused further surgical management. Herein, we report an unusual case of complex apocrine tumor with a rare composition in an atypical site.

The areola is a rare location for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) because sunlight exposure, the main risk factor for SCC, is unusual on it. Acantholytic SCC (ASCC) is a rare histologic variant of SCC, characterized by pseudoglandular appearance with acantholytic tumor cells. A 59-year-old male presented a painful erythematous papule on his right areola. He had a history of psoralen ultraviolet A phototherapy for psoriasis in his 20s. Biopsy revealed an epithelial tumor and pseudoglandular structures with acantholytic tumor cells. In immunohistochemistry, cytokeratin 5/6, epithelial membrane antigen, and p63 were positive, while cytokeratin 7, carcinoembryonic antigen, S-100, and estrogen and progesterone receptors were negative. Periodic acid-Schiff stain was negative. Ki-67 labeling index was 79.7%. The final diagnosis was ASCC of the areola. After wide local excision, recurrence have not been reported. Here, we report a case of ASCC on the areola, focusing on its rare histologic variant and uncommon location.

no abstract available.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition characterized by anesthesia, paresthesia, and facial ulceration involving the trigeminal dermatome secondary to self-manipulation of the skin after a peripheral or central injury to the trigeminal nerve or its branches. Differential diagnosis of TTS includes conditions presenting with chronic facial ulceration, such as various infectious diseases, malignancy, vasculitis, pyoderma gangrenosum and dermatitis artefacta. We report a case of postherpetic TTS and highlight the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition, which may commonly be misdiagnosed.