title: [Role and importance of fungal infections in intensive care units].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of fungal infections is constantly increasing, especially in Intensive Care Units (ICU). On the one hand ICU are places for treatment of most difficult, often immunodeficient patients, and on the other hand their treatment often requires invasive procedures, support of vital organs and adequate monitoring.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In approximately 78% of patients the cause of infection are Candida species with mortality rate of 57%. Less common causative agents are Aspergillus species, but with very high mortality rate of up to 100%.
  
  
  METHODS
  Candida albicans is a normal inhabitant of the oropharygeal and digestive systems. Hospitalization, trauma, loss of immunity and use of strong antibiotics facilitate fungal colonization. Inadequate nutrition, poor perfusion, ischemia and corticosteroid therapy lead to damage of intestinal mucosa. Combined with improper production of IG A, it predisposes to translocation of fungi through mucosa and invasion of the blood stream.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most common forms are urinary tract infections, intrabdominal candidiasis, disseminated candidiasis and candidemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnosis of fungal infections is very difficult. It is based on clinical picture, microbiological, histological, radiological, serologic and molecular examinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment is usually based on systemic antimycotic agents (Amphotericin B, Azoles: Fluconazole, Flucytosine). Prophylactic treatment is still a matter of debate. It is not routinely recommended in ICU, but is commonly used in transplant patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinika za decju hirurgiju, Institut za zdravstvenu zastitu dece i omladine, Novi Sad. taticma@Eunet.yu
authors.forename: Milanka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tatić
authors.forename: Danica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stanić-Canji
authors.forename: Biljana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drasković
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Komarcević
authors.forename: Dorde
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gajdobranski
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors