Invasive Candidiasis

[Guest guest]

Invasive Candidiasis

(infections in the bloodstream and organs)

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/candidiasis_inv_g.htm

General Information sheets on other types of Candida

What is invasive candidiasis?

Invasive candidiasis is a fungal infection that occurs when Candida

species enter the blood, causing bloodstream infection and then

spreading throughout the body.

How common is invasive candidiasis and who can get it?

One form of invasive candidiasis, candidemia, is the fourth most

common bloodstream infection among hospitalized patients in the

United States.. A survey conducted at CDC found that candidemia

occurs in 8 of every 100,000 persons per year. Persons at high risk

for candidemia include low-birth-weight babies, surgical patients,

and those whose immune systems are deficient.

What are the symptoms of invasive candidiasis?

The symptoms of invasive candidiasis are not specific. Fever and

chills that do not improve after antibiotic therapy are the most

common symptoms. If the infection spreads to deep organs such as

kidneys, liver, bones, muscles, joints, spleen, or eyes, additional

specific symptoms may develop, which vary depending on the site of

infection. If the infection does not respond to treatment, the

patient's organs may fail and cause death.

How is invasive candidiasis transmitted?

Invasive candidiasis may result when a person's own Candida

organisms, normally found in the digestive tract, enter the

bloodstream. On rare occasions, it can also occur when medical

equipment or devices become contaminated with Candida. In either

case, the infection may spread throughout the body.

How is invasive candidiasis diagnosed?

Invasive candidiasis is usually diagnosed by either culture of blood

or tissue or by examining samples of infected tissue under the

microscope.

How is invasive candidiasis treated?

Invasive candidiasis is usually treated with Amphotericin B given

intravenously(IV) (in the vein) or with azole drugs taken by mouth

or IV.

Date: October 6, 2005

Content source: Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases /

Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases

[Guest guest]

> Invasive candidiasis is usually treated with Amphotericin B given

> intravenously(IV) (in the vein) or with azole drugs taken by mouth

> or IV.

In 2001 I spoke with Dr ph Heitman at Duke U. who was conducting

the final phase of testing for Pfizers " Vfend " : Voriconazole.

He was ecstatic about the results.

Better tolerated than Ampho B with less liver toxicity.

There is an oral formulation for maintenance of the " minimum

inhibitory concentration " level after the initial IV " Dose Loading " ,

AND more effective than Ampho B against filamentous fungi - especially

aspergillus species.

A lot of doctors haven't heard about this option yet.

Might be worthwhile to ask.

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