Invasive Candidiasis

Invasive candidiasis is the most common fungal disease among hospitalized patients in the developed world. Invasive candidiasis comprises both candidemia and deep-seated tissue candidiasis. Candidemia is generally viewed as the more common type of the disease, and it accounts for the majority of cases included in clinical trials. Deep-seated candidiasis arises from either hematogenous dissemination or direct inoculation of candida species to a sterile site, such as the peritoneal cavity (Fig. 1). Mortality among patients with invasive candidiasis is as high as 40%, even when patients receive antifungal therapy. In addition, the global shift in favor of nonalbicans candida species is troubling, as is the emerging resistance to antifungal drugs. During the past few years, new insights have substantially changed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.