Shifting Patterns in the Epidemiology of Nosocomial Candida Infections

The incidence of candidemia--a common and potentially fatal nosocomial infection--has risen dramatically, and this increase has been accompanied by a shift in the infecting pathogen away from Candida albicans to treatment-resistant non-albicans species. Prophylactic azole antifungals, such as fluconazole, may play an important role not only in the management of candidemia but also in the proliferation of hard-to-treat Candida species. In a variety of acute nosocomial settings, IV fluconazole, 400 mg/d, has reduced Candida colonization and infection. A growing body of evidence supports the still controversial contention that the increasing use of azole antifungals is at least partially responsible for the proliferation of treatment-resistant, non-albicans isolates, especially Candida glabrata. Thus, selecting the most appropriate candidates for prophylactic antifungal intervention--ie, those with the highest risk for candidemia--may be indispensable, not only in preventing candidemia, but also in reducing antifungal overuse, which may contribute to the emergence of treatment-resistant Candida isolates.