Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-15-2009

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed and is published in Clinical Infectious Diseases 2009 Jun 15;48(12):1695-703. The published version is available at DOI: 10.1086/599039. © Oxford University Press

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Candidemia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the health care setting, and the epidemiology of Candida infection is changing.

METHODS: Clinical data from patients with candidemia were extracted from the Prospective Antifungal Therapy (PATH) Alliance database, a comprehensive registry that collects information regarding invasive fungal infections. A total of 2019 patients, enrolled from 1 July 2004 through 5 March 2008, were identified. Data regarding the candidemia episode were analyzed, including the specific fungal species and patient survival at 12 weeks after diagnosis.

RESULTS: The incidence of candidemia caused by non-Candida albicans Candida species (54.4%) was higher than the incidence of candidemia caused by C. albicans (45.6%). The overall, crude 12-week mortality rate was 35.2%. Patients with Candida parapsilosis candidemia had the lowest mortality rate (23.7%; P

CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology and choice of therapy for candidemia are rapidly changing. Additional study is warranted to differentiate host factors and differences in virulence among Candida species and to determine the best therapeutic regimen.

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