Life Science Encyclopedia

Fungemia (also known as Candidemia, Candedemia, and Invasive Candidiasis) is the presence of fungi or yeasts in the blood. It is most commonly seen in immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients with severe neutropenia, oncology patients, or in patients with intravenous catheters. Recently, it has been suggested the otherwise immunocompetent patients taking infliximab may be at a higher risk for fungemia.

The diagnosis is complicated, as routine blood cultures have poor sensitivity. Treatment involves use of antifungals, e.g. fluconazole or amphotericin.

The two most important risk factors are:

• Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Colonization by fungi (see e.g. candidiasis)

Other risk factors are:

• Dialysis
• Diabetes
• Lowered intestinal flora
• Suppressed Immune system
• Central venous catheter
• High severity of illness
• Multiple abdominal surgeries
• Use of steroids
• burns

The most commonly known pathogen is Candida albicans, causing roughly 70% of fungemias, followed by Candida glabrata with 10%, and Aspergillus with 1%. However, the frequency of infection by T. glabrata, Candida tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. parapsilosis is increasing, especially when significant use of fluconazole is common.

Symptoms can range from mild to extreme, often described as extreme flu-like symptoms. Pain, mental disorders, chronic fatigue, infections, are a few of the long list of associated symptoms with Fungemia.

See also

• Bacteremia
• Candidiasis