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.

References

CDC