Treatment of invasive candidiasis: between guidelines and daily clinical practice. Issue 6 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tagliaferri, Enrico; Menichetti, Francesco
• Is Part Of: Expert review of anti-infective therapy. Volume 13:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 685
• Page End: 689
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.90461
• DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2015.1029916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-7210

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Invasive candidiasis, including candidemia (IC/C), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. While incidence is higher in intensive care units, the majority of cases of candidemia are documented in medical wards. Although <italic>Candida albicans</italic> is still the most frequently isolated species, IC/C due to non-albicans species, usually less susceptible to fluconazole, is increasing. Early identification of patients at risk, knowledge of local epidemiology and prompt efforts to define etiologic diagnosis play a pivotal role for appropriateness. Starting therapy with an echinocandin, switching then to fluconazole when possible, seems to represent a potentially useful strategy for the management of IC/C. The choice between the three echinocandins should be based on the specific indications, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile, clinical experience and relative cost.</p> </abstract>