title: A randomized, double-blind, prospective study of caspofungin vs. amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis in newborn infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Caspofungin is an echinocandin agent with fungicidal activity against Candida species.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of caspofungin relative to amphotericin B in neonates with invasive candidiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two neonates with invasive candidiasis were randomly assigned to receive either caspofungin (n = 15) or amphotericin B (n = 17). Efficacy was evaluated, with a successful outcome defined as fulfilling all the components of a prespecified five-part composite endpoint. Evaluation of safety was done by monitoring drug-related adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of intravenous therapy, evaluation showed that caspofungin was superior, with a favorable response in 86.7% of patients as compared with 41.7% of those who received amphotericin B (p = 0.04). There were significantly fewer adverse events in the caspofungin group than in the amphotericin B group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caspofungin is more effective, safer and alternative to amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis in newborn infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, El-Minya University, El-Minya, Egypt. walidabdo2020@gmail.com
authors.forename: Walid Abdel Wahab
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ismail
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058365:Candidiasis, Invasive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077336:Caspofungin; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D054714:Echinocandins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D055666:Lipopeptides; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D000666:Amphotericin B; D000077336:Caspofungin