A Review of Severe Candida Infection in Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
Author Information
Author(s): Elnè Noppè, Julian Robert Paul Eloff, Sean Keane, Ignacio Martin-Loeches
Primary Institution: St James' Hospital
Conclusion
Invasive candidiasis remains a significant challenge in the ICU, with rising incidence and mortality rates due to changing epidemiology and antifungal resistance.
Supporting Evidence
- Candida species are the most common cause of invasive fungal infections in critically ill patients.
- The incidence of invasive candidiasis in ICUs is significantly higher than in other hospital wards.
- Emerging multidrug-resistant strains complicate the diagnosis and treatment of invasive candidiasis.
- Risk factors for invasive candidiasis include damage to immune barriers and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Takeaway
Candida infections are common and serious in ICU patients, and it's important to diagnose and treat them quickly, but it's hard because some fungi are becoming resistant to medicines.
Methodology
This narrative review synthesizes existing literature on invasive candidiasis, focusing on its incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment in ICU settings.
Potential Biases
The majority of clinical trials focus on patients with candidemia, which may not represent the broader spectrum of invasive candidiasis.
Limitations
The review highlights the challenges in accurately determining the incidence of invasive candidiasis due to inconsistent terminology and varying diagnostic practices.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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