Therapy and outcome of Candida glabrata versus Candida albicans bloodstream infection

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2008 Mar;60(3):273-7. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2007.10.001. Epub 2007 Nov 19.

Abstract

Candida glabrata is a common cause of bloodstream infection (BSI) and exhibits reduced susceptibility to antifungal agents. Those with C. glabrata BSI may therefore be at increased risk for a delay in receiving appropriate therapy and poor treatment outcome. We compared treatment and outcome of patients with C. glabrata to controls with Candida albicans BSI. Each patient with C. glabrata BSI from July 1997 through December 2004 was matched with a control patient infected with C. albicans. Appropriateness of therapy was defined using current guidelines, and the mortality end point was 30 days following the initial positive blood culture. Overall, 78% of patients received appropriate therapy (39/54 [72%] for C. glabrata versus 45/54 [83%] for C. albicans, P = 0.2). Crude 30-day mortality was high for both groups (41% for C. glabrata versus 44% for C. albicans, P = 0.7). There was no trend in mortality according to time of therapy initiation, but mortality was lower for those who received appropriate therapy (35% versus 71% for inappropriate therapy, P = 0.002). Twelve percent of patients received no antifungal therapy and contributed disproportionately to overall crude mortality. Strategies to decrease the incidence of untreated candidemia may favorably impact outcome.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / isolation & purification*
  • Candida glabrata / drug effects
  • Candida glabrata / isolation & purification*
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Candidiasis / mortality
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Fungemia / drug therapy*
  • Fungemia / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents