Candidaemia in Europe: epidemiology and resistance

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2006 May;27(5):359-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2006.01.002. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of antifungals for prophylaxis, Candida bloodstream infection (BSI) remains the most frequent life-threatening fungal disease. From an analysis of multi-institutional surveys of Candida BSIs performed in Europe, including the large prospective survey by the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (2089 episodes from seven countries), a limited role of species with decreased susceptibility to azoles in causing BSIs and a low proportion of antifungal resistance was evident. Large prospective epidemiological surveys using common databases are needed to monitor trends in incidence and changes in species distribution, to identify new at-risk patients and to evaluate the impact of the introduction into the market of new antifungal agents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Candidiasis / epidemiology*
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal*
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Fungemia / epidemiology
  • Fungemia / microbiology
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents