Successful treatment of Candida krusei infection with caspofungin acetate: a new antifungal agent.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic fungal infections have high mortality, and therapy is often toxic. Caspofungin acetate, a new antifungal agent with minimal toxicity, may provide a better alternative to typical therapy for Candida krusei.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) of a community teaching hospital.


METHODS
A 22-yr-old male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Candida krusei fungemia failed therapy with fluconazole and amphotericin B.


METHODS
Caspofungin acetate given intravenously as a 70-mg loading dose, followed up by 50 mg daily along with standard ICU care.


RESULTS
Survival without toxicity from therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Efficacy of caspofungin acetate in a patient with life-threatening Candida Krusei infection.
McGee
William T
WT
Department of ICU Quality Improvement, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199, USA. william.mcgee@bhs.org
Tereso
Gary J
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000077336:Caspofungin; D054714:Echinocandins; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016469:Fungemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D055666:Lipopeptides; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010455:Peptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D010455:Peptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015725:Fluconazole; D000077336:Caspofungin