The value of a risk model for early-onset candidemia.
Bloodstream infections from Candida species are associated with an increased length of stay, increased hospital costs, and higher mortality when compared with bacterial bloodstream infections. Delayed or inappropriate therapy in candidemia leads to increased mortality, thus early recognition becomes paramount. With biomarkers showing promise, blood cultures still remain the gold standard but require 24 to 72 hours for growth. The reliance on epidemiologic risk factors for the initiation of empiric antifungal therapy therefore provides the best method for early appropriate therapy. Shorr and colleagues have devised a risk score to identify patients with early-onset candidemia as defined by positive blood cultures within 2 days of admission, thus allowing for the initiation of early appropriate antifungal therapy.
Sandrock
Christian
C
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. cesandrock@ucdavis.edu
Siddiqui
Javeed
J
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008954:Models, Biological; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000935:Antifungal Agents