title: Candida albicans: an opportunistic threat to critically ill low birth weight infants.
abstract: Major advances in the management of critically ill low birth weight (LBW) infants have increased their survival. Yet the clinical course of these infants is complicated by the emergence of opportunistic microbial pathogens. Most importantly, serious infections from opportunistic fungi, such as Candida albicans, have produced systemic disease in vulnerable LBW infants. Invasive C. albicans infection is generally difficult to manage and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Because the infection has an insidious and rapid course, the critical care nurse and advanced practice nurse need to provide key prevention and early treatment measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal Child Health Nursing, Loyola University of Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Witek-Janusek
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cusack
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Mathews
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D016638:Critical Illness; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents