[Clinico-microbiological comments on various cases of candidemia]

Recenti Prog Med. 2002 Jun;93(6):355-60.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

During a 3 year period 48 patients with one or more blood cultures positive for Candida spp. were enrolled in the study. One patient presented 3 consecutives episodes of candidemia with infection of the port a cath. Fifty cases of candidemia were diagnosed. Candidemia with infection of the central venous catheter was the most frequent diagnosis (52%); in 20% of cases a tissue localization was also present (disseminated candidiasis). Thirty-four out of 50 episodes occurred in the Surgical Department. Among risk factors the most frequent resulted: prolonged antibiotic treatment (100%), intravascular catheter (86%), parenteral nutrition (74%), abdominal surgery (46%). C. albicans was identified more frequently than others Candida spp., resistance to fluconazole was detected in 20% of strains tested. 34/45 episodes of fungemia were treated with fluconazole, none reported side effects. In 5 cases fluconazole was discontinued for clinical failure. Clinical outcome in patients with Candida infection depends on other factors beside in vitro drug susceptibility tests.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fungemia / drug therapy*
  • Fungemia / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged