Fungemia

Background

• Systemic infection with a Candida species

Microbiology

• Candida albicans (46%)
• Candida glabrata (26%)
• Candida parapsilosis (16%)
• Candida tropicalis (8%)
• Candida krusei (3%)
• Candida auris (rare): growing concern for multidrug resistance
• Numbers based on https://doi.org/10.1086/599039

Risk Factors

• Immune-compromised
• Long-term and broad-spectrum antibiotic use, especially in ICU
• Multiple or long-term IV lines, central lines, etc.
• Total parenteral nutrition
• Acute kidney injury, especially requiring dialysis
• Abdominal surgery
• Gastrointestinal perforation

Clinical Manifestations

• Positive blood culture for a Candida species
• Fever
• Triad of bowel perforation, increase white cell count, and decreased platelets
• Can be complicated by endophthalmitis

Investigations

• Blood cultures
• Blood count (increased WBCs, decreased platelets)
• Consider echo to rule out endocarditis

Management

• Never treat as a contaminant!
• Requires ophthalmology consult to rule out endophthalmitis, ideally around 1 week after positive cultures
• Antifungal therapy
  • First-line (stable patients): fluconazole if no risk factors for a resistant species
  • Alternative (resistance or septic): micafungin or another echinocandin
  • Alternative (last-line): amphotericin B