Emerging echinocandin-resistant Candida albicans and glabrata in Switzerland

Infection. 2020 Oct;48(5):761-766. doi: 10.1007/s15010-020-01475-8. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Abstract

Echinocandins represent the first-line therapy of candidemia. Echinocandin resistance among Candida spp. is mainly due to acquired FKS mutations. In this study, we report the emergence of FKS-mutant Candida albicans/glabrata in Switzerland and provide the microbiological and clinical characteristics of 9 candidemic episodes. All patients were previously exposed to echinocandins (median 26 days; range 15-77). Five patients received initial echinocandin therapy with persistent candidemia in 4 of them. Overall mortality was 33%.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / genetics
  • Candida albicans / physiology*
  • Candida glabrata / drug effects
  • Candida glabrata / genetics
  • Candida glabrata / physiology*
  • Candidemia / drug therapy*
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal*
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Switzerland

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins