Epidemiology, Incidence and Risk Factors for Invasive Candidiasis in High-Risk Patients

Abstract

Candida spp. are an increasing cause of bloodstream infections, and are associated with high morbidity and mortality in both neutropenic and non-neutropenic critically ill patients. Risk factors associated with candidaemia are diverse and include exposure to broad spectrum antimicrobial agents, mucosal colonization by Candida spp., indwelling vascular catheters, prior surgery and cancer chemotherapy. During the last 20 years, there has been an increasing incidence worldwide in invasive candidiasis, but differences in geographical epidemiology are emerging, in particular regarding a shift towards non-albicans species. This shift has been correlated with routine fluconazole prophylaxis adopted in some patients, and the intrinsic/acquired azole resistance of Candida spp., which represents a very real problem, in terms of both selecting the appropriate empirical therapeutic approach and making prophylactic choices.

Histopathologic Diagnosis of Fungal Infections in the 21st Century

“…Candida albicans colonizes the human oropharynx and vagina, and a small number of viable organisms can be cultured from these surfaces (38,153). Superficial infections in the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract occur when there are microbial imbalances caused by fluctuations in reproductive hormones, antibiotic use, and immunosuppression that may have causes ranging from HIV infection to diabetes (38,52).…”

“…Superficial infections in the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract occur when there are microbial imbalances caused by fluctuations in reproductive hormones, antibiotic use, and immunosuppression that may have causes ranging from HIV infection to diabetes (38,52). Invasive candidiasis occurs primarily as a health care-associated infection, and patients at risk include those receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressants, or total parenteral nutrition and those with vascular access devices, recent surgeries, malignancies, and neutropenia (40).…”

“…Invasive candidiasis occurs primarily as a health care-associated infection, and patients at risk include those receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressants, or total parenteral nutrition and those with vascular access devices, recent surgeries, malignancies, and neutropenia (40). C. albicans is the most frequent species isolated from the blood, accounting for one-third to two-thirds of bloodstream isolates (38). Certain species are associated with particular risk factors; for example, Candida parapsilosis is seen in patients with hyperalimentation or indwelling devices or in neonates, while Candida glabrata is seen in patients who are receiving azoles.…”

Species Distribution and Antifungal Drug Susceptibility of Candida in Clinical Isolates from a Tertiary Care Centre at Bareilly

“…Indwelling vascular catheters and premature infants. 3,4 Candidaemia increases mortality rates in the range of 20-49%. 5,6 The Candidaemia and invasive candidiasis are defined in general from diagnosis to prophylaxis, empiric and pre emptive strategies to treatment.…”

Influence of a plasma jet on the viability of Candida albicans

“…Candidiasis, caused by Candida species, is the most common fungal infection in humans and animals. Candida albicans is considered the most prevalent fungal biofilmforming pathogen that causes life-threatening infections by colonizing polymers used in medical devices [7][8][9][10][11].…”