Guidelines
Candidemia

Candidemia

Key Messages

Isolation of yeast in the blood should never be considered a contaminant.

Candidemia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Strongly consider Infectious Diseases consultation for all patients with candidemia.

Follow up blood cultures should be performed every other day to establish the time point at which candidemia has been cleared.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) should be removed as early as possible in the course of candidemia when the source is presumed to be the CVC and the catheter can be removed safely.

All patients with candidemia should have a dilated ophthalmological examination performed within the first week after diagnosis. Please consult Ophthalmology.

Risk Factors for Candidemia

Risk factors for development of invasive candidiasis include Candida colonization, severity of illness, exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics, recent major surgery, necrotizing pancreatitis, dialysis, parenteral nutrition, corticosteroids and the use of central venous catheters (CVCs).

Empiric Therapy, Follow Up and Duration of Therapy