Potential risk factors for infection with Candida spp. in critically ill patients

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2004 Jun;10(6):550-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00873.x.

Abstract

The incidence, risk factors and prognostic factors for candidal infection were determined in a prospective study of 280 infected patients. Thirty-one (11%) patients were infected with Candida spp., sub-divided into 18 (58%) with C. albicans, and 13 (42%) with non-albicans spp. (six C. glabrata, three C. parapsilosis, and one each of C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii and C. lusitaniae). Infection with Candida spp. was always associated with concurrent bacterial infection. By univariate logistic regression analysis, the degree of morbidity and the duration of mechanical ventilation were independent predictive factors for death, but infection with Candida spp., was not. Factors associated with Candida spp. infection were the degree of morbidity, intensive care unit length of stay, alterations of immune response, and the number of medical devices involved. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the only independent risk factor for candidal infection was intensive care unit length of stay.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Candida / classification
  • Candida / isolation & purification*
  • Candida albicans / isolation & purification
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / epidemiology*
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Candidiasis / mortality
  • Critical Illness*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents