title: Anidulafungin--a new therapeutic option for Candida infections in liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last years, the incidence of Candida infections in liver transplant recipients has increased with still higher morbidity and mortality. Anidulafungin, a new echinocandin that does not interfere with cytochrome p450, shows no need for dosage adjustment based upon renal or hepatic function or weight.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze tolerance to and microbiologic and clinical efficacy of Anidulafungin to treat Candida infections in liver transplant patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This phase 3b, prospective, open-label, single-center study focused on liver transplant patients with a suspected and/or diagnosed Candida infection. The patients received Anidulafungin intravenously, optionally followed by oral therapy with azoles. The primary endpoint was the global response at the end of therapy; secondary endpoints were the efficacy of intravenous therapy, 90-day survival, as well as tolerance for and interaction with immunosuppresants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We considered 42 consecutive liver recipients transplanted between 2009 and 2010 among whom 13 (31%) were recruited for the study and four patients were treated with Anidulafungin as empirical therapy, six as preemptive therapy, and three as targeted treatment for documented candidemia (7.1%). The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of tacrolimus and low dose of steroids. The Candida species were: C albicans (50%), C glabrata (12.5%), C parapsilosis (12.5%), C krusei (12.5%), C lusitaniae (6.2%), C tropicalis (6.2%), and multiple others (25%). The principle site of isolation was the bile (53.8%), followed by the bloodstream (23.1%), central venous catheters (15.4%), bronchoalveolar lavage (15.4%), peritoneum (7.7%), and other locations (7.7%). Two patients (15.4%) died of severe sepsis with multiple organ failure. There was no alteration of hepatic enzymes, indices of cholestasis or changes in immunosuppressant drug levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anidulafungin was an effective, safe, and well-tolerated drug. There were neither toxic effects to the grafts or adverse interactions with immunosuppresants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. gsganga@tiscali.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sganga
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cozza
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nure
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lirosi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Frongillo
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies