What is Invasive Candidiasis?
Invasive candidiasis is a serious fungal infection caused by various Candida species and occurs most frequently in immunocompromised patients. Candida is the most common cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in the U.S. (REF). The overall mortality rate of invasive candidiasis remains over 30%, despite therapy (REF).
Current treatment options are limited to only three antifungal classes, with few therapies becoming increasingly ineffective due to a rise in drug resistant strains. (REF)
The current treatment protocol/strategy for invasive candidiasis includes:
- Empiric treatment in the hospital for suspected cases
- Confirmed treatment in the hospital, typically for ICU, surgical patients, and immunocompromised patients, and patients using a central venous
- Initial IV therapy for about five days (depending on the risk factors of the patient) with oral step-down for about two weeks