Invasive candidiasis and candidemia are frequently encountered in the nosocomial setting particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU).
To review the current management of invasive candidiasis and candidemia in non-neutropenic adult ICU patients based on a review of the literature and an European expert panel discussion.
Empiric and directed treatment for invasive candidiasis are predicated on the hemodynamic status of the patient. Unstable patients may benefit from broad-spectrum antifungal agents, which can be narrowed once the patient has stabilized and the identity of the infecting species is established. In stable patients, a more classical approach using fluconazole may be satisfactory provided that the patient is not colonized with fluconazole resistant strains or there has been recent past exposure to an azole (<30 days). In contrast, pre-emptive therapy is based on the presence of surrogate markers.