Invasive Candida Infections in Patients With Haematological Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: Current Epidemiology and Therapeutic Options
2011

Invasive Candida Infections in Cancer Patients

Sample size: 11802 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Girmenia Corrado, Finolezzi Erica, Federico Vincenzo, Santopietro Michelina, Perrone Salvatore

Primary Institution: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Hypothesis

What are the current epidemiological patterns and therapeutic options for invasive candidiasis in patients with hematological malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients?

Conclusion

The incidence of invasive Candida infections has decreased in patients with hematological malignancies and HSCT recipients, but the mortality rate remains high.

Supporting Evidence

  • The incidence of invasive candidiasis has decreased due to antifungal prophylaxis.
  • Non-albicans Candida species are increasingly responsible for candidemia.
  • High mortality rates persist despite the introduction of new antifungal agents.
  • Prolonged neutropenia is a significant risk factor for invasive fungal diseases.

Takeaway

Doctors are studying how to prevent and treat serious infections caused by Candida in cancer patients, and they found that while these infections are less common now, they can still be very dangerous.

Methodology

The study summarizes epidemiological and therapeutic aspects of candidemia in HM patients and HSCT recipients based on recent literature.

Potential Biases

The reliance on retrospective data may introduce bias in understanding the true epidemiology and outcomes of candidemia.

Limitations

Most data are derived from retrospective studies, and there is a lack of prospective data specifically focused on HM and HSCT populations.

Participant Demographics

The study includes patients with hematological malignancies and those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.4084/MJHID.2011.013

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication