title: Recognition and prevention of nosocomial invasive fungal infections in the intensive care unit.
abstract: Despite recent advances in antifungal treatments, the morbidity and mortality of fungal infections, especially invasive candidiasis, in patients in the intensive care unit setting remain high. Because of this, there has been a great interest in improving the evaluation, risk assessment, and prevention of fungal infections in the intensive care unit. Some important advances in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis include rapid species identification and improvements in antigen testing. The introduction of several prediction rules has helped to guide clinicians in the use of prophylaxis or preemptive antifungal therapy in high-risk patients. However, the most immediate benefit has been realized with the introduction of new antifungal agents that have proved to be safer than those available in the past.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Jeannina A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kauffman
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents