Echinocandins — An Advance in the Primary Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis

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Abstract
Candida species are now the fourth leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection in the United States, exceeded in some series only by Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococcus, and enterococcus species.1,2 Wey and colleagues estimate the attributable mortality of candidemia at 38 percent.3 Candidemia is a surrogate marker for the presence of deeply invasive candidiasis, particularly in immunocompromised hosts.4 In patients with untreated or inadequately treated candidemia, the rate of clinically overt complications, including endophthalmitis, endocarditis, septic arthritis, and renal candidiasis, may be as high as 15 percent. Candidemia may be complicated by chronic disseminated candidiasis in neutropenic hosts and by . . .