| Abstract: | Demographic information, risk factors, therapy, and outcome for all patients who had candidemia at King Fahad teaching hospital
Al-khobar, between January 1995 and January 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-two candidemic patients were identified.
Candida parapsilosis was the most frequently isolated species (44%), followed by Candida tropicalis (25%), Candida albicans (19%), Candida krusei (6%), Candida glabrat a (3%), and Candida guilliermondi (3%). Risk factors included recent broad-spectrum antibiotics use (100%), ICU residency (71%), central venous catheters (66%),
recent surgery (56%), total parenteral nutrition (43%), and immunosuppressive therapy (31%). Fluconazole was used before the
onset of candidemia in only two patients. The overall mortality rate was 44%. Eight (25%) episodes of candidemia were not
diagnosed and treated before the patient's demise. In view of the high mortality rate associated with hematogenous candidiasis,
and lack of sensitive and specific laboratory tests necessary for the premortem diagnosis of infection, empirical antifungal
therapy is recommended for high-risk patients.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
