Candidemia

Candidemia is a bloodstream infection caused by Candida yeasts and is the most frequent form of invasive candidiasis. It ranks among the commonest healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in hospital patients. Common species are Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis, and the mix varies between patient groups. Most infections start from the patient's own gut or skin yeasts after barrier breaches; risk factors include prolonged intensive care, central venous catheters, broad-spectrum antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, cancer, neutropenia and abdominal surgery. Signs are non-specific, typically fever and chills that persist despite antibacterial treatment, and the yeast can seed the heart, eyes, bones, joints or meninges. Diagnosis rests on blood cultures, with species identification and susceptibility testing guiding therapy and an eye examination checking for endophthalmitis. Treatment is antifungal therapy, usually starting with an echinocandin such as anidulafungin, with removal of an infected central venous catheter where safe.

Seek urgent care for a high fever with a stiff neck, rash, confusion, difficulty breathing, or fever after travel to a malaria area. See a doctor when a fever lasts more than three days, when symptoms return after treatment, or when you may have been exposed to an infection that needs testing. Call the local emergency number for any symptom that is sudden and severe. This page is a reference for healthcare professionals and does not replace an assessment.