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Invasive candidiasis is a fungal infection that
occurs when Candida species enter the blood, causing
bloodstream infection and then spreading throughout the body.
One form of invasive candidiasis, candidemia, is the
fourth most common bloodstream infection among hospitalized
patients in the United States.. A survey conducted at CDC found
that candidemia occurs in 8 of every 100,000 persons per year.
Persons at high risk for candidemia include low-birth-weight
babies, surgical patients, and those whose immune systems are
deficient.
The symptoms of invasive candidiasis are not
specific. Fever and chills that do not improve after antibiotic
therapy are the most common symptoms. If the infection spreads to
deep organs such as kidneys, liver, bones, muscles, joints,
spleen, or eyes, additional specific symptoms may develop, which
vary depending on the site of infection. If the infection does not
respond to treatment, the patient’s organs may fail and cause
death.
How is invasive candidiasis
transmitted?
Invasive candidiasis may result when a person’s own
Candida organisms, normally found in the digestive tract,
enter the bloodstream. On rare occasions, it can also occur when
medical equipment or devices become contaminated with
Candida. In either case, the infection may spread
throughout the body.
How is invasive candidiasis
diagnosed?
Invasive candidiasis is usually diagnosed by either
culture of blood or tissue or by examining samples of infected
tissue under the microscope.
Invasive candidiasis is usually treated with
Amphotericin B given intravenously(IV) (in the vein) or with azole
drugs taken by mouth or IV.
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