Invasive candidiasis trial supports echinocandins for primary therapy

Candida, the most prevalent hospital-associated fungal pathogen, causes a variety of mucosal and deep-seated infections (1). Candidemia and other invasive Candida infections are among the more difficult to treat infections and are associated with high mortality rates, near 40% (2). Neutropenia, often related to chemotherapy or hematologic malignancy, places patients at high risk for severe disseminated candidiasis (3). The current recommended therapy involves a combination of treatment with antifungals, debridement and/or drainage of intra-abdominal sources, and removal of infected devices, such as vascular catheters and implantable cardiac devices (2,4-7).