Language
Country/Area
No result found
Challenging the Deadliest Infections: Do You Know All the Details About Invasive Candidiasis?
With the advancement of medical technology, the treatment options for many infectious diseases are increasing. However, invasive candidiasis remains a thorny problem for the medical community. This is a serious infection caused by various strains of Candida yeast and has nothing to do with skin color, age or health conditions; anyone can fall victim to this hidden threat. This article will explore the various details of invasive candidiasis, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and prevention measures, to help readers gain a better understanding of this deadly disease.
The symptoms of invasive candidiasis are often misinterpreted as other medical conditions, however the most common symptoms are persistent fever and chills that do not improve with antibiotics.
Source of infection
Invasive candidiasis is caused by more than 150 species of Candida species, 15 of which are considered the main culprits, including:
- C. albicans
- C. glabrata
- C. tropicalis
- C. parapsilosis
- C. krusei
The emergence of these pathogens, especially C. auris, has attracted widespread attention worldwide since it was first discovered in 2009. This new Candida species is not only multidrug resistant but is also strongly associated with high mortality.
The problem of drug resistance
The emergence of resistance mainly stems from the intrinsic resistance of some Candida species, which leads to the development of selection pressure during the use of antifungal drugs.
Due to the increased use of antifungal drugs, some species such as C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis are beginning to develop resistance. This situation greatly reduces treatment options, especially when facing multidrug-resistant C. auris.
Potential risk factorsCertain conditions increase your risk of developing invasive candidiasis, including:
- Recovery after abdominal surgery
- Prolonged intensive care unit stay
- Immunosuppressive diseases
Newborns and seriously ill patients are especially susceptible to infection because of their weaker immune systems.
Transmission channels
Invasive candidiasis is mostly nosocomial infection and is associated with long-term hospitalization. This means that once infection occurs, the condition often deteriorates rapidly.
Diagnostic Methods
The key to diagnosing invasive candidiasis is to isolate Candida from a sterile site such as blood; only in this way can the diagnosis be confirmed.
However, the sensitivity of blood culture is still insufficient, and only 22% to 71% of positive results may not provide a definitive diagnosis. Recent studies have shown that increased serum β-glucan can also be used as an auxiliary diagnostic indicator.
Precautions
Although there is some support for preventive antifungal therapy for invasive candidiasis, it is mainly targeted at specific high-risk patients, also to avoid the development of resistance. Antifungal prophylaxis for patients after surgery can reduce the incidence of fungemia, but improvement in survival has not been confirmed.
Treatment methods
Treatment is usually with antifungal medications; specific medications and dosages vary depending on the patient's age, immune status, and type of infection. For most adults, intravenous mycointerferon is recommended as initial treatment, although extended treatment is often required for fungal infections to ensure complete eradication of the infection.
EpidemiologyInvasive candidiasis causes more than 250,000 cases and more than 50,000 deaths worldwide each year, demonstrating its significant impact on public health.
In the United States, healthcare-associated invasive candidiasis occurs approximately 46,000 times per year, with a mortality rate ranging from 19% to 40%. These figures not only reflect the severity of the infection, but also remind us that we need to pay more attention and attach importance to it.
Against this backdrop, we cannot help but ask, how can we more effectively prevent and control this potentially deadly infection?
