title: Candida infections in the intensive care unit: epidemiology, risk factors and therapeutic strategies.
abstract: This article reviews the epidemiology, predisposing risk factors and outcome of systemic Candida spp. infections in the intensive care unit setting. Incidence of systemic Candida infections in patients requiring intensive care has increased substantially in recent years; while diagnosis of serious Candida infection may be difficult, the clinical conditions which predispose patients to these infections are now better understood and effective antifungal therapies are becoming increasingly available. Severe fungal infections are generally associated with poor outcomes in these patients. Patients at highest risk for Candida infection may be potential candidates for early, presumptive therapy. In this article we review antifungal treatment, including the use of polyenes, azoles and echinocandines, and the role of prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Malattie Infettive, A.O. U. San Martino, R. Benzi 10 16132, Genoa, Italy. matteo.bassetti@hsanmartino.it
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bassetti
authors.forename: Elda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Righi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tumbarello
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Biagio
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viscoli
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents