Coping with Candida infections

Although Candida spp. exist as normal flora on much of the human body, life-threatening invasive infections by these organisms have increased in recent decades. Candida spp. are now one of the most common causes of nosocomial blood stream infections worldwide, and patients with critical illness or malignant disease demonstrate particular susceptibility. Risk factors are identifiable for virtually all patients who develop invasive candidiasis, and clinicians must maintain vigilance for Candida infections in the appropriate clinical context, given the attributable mortality. This review addresses the clinical and molecular epidemiology of invasive Candida infections, common clinical manifestations, available diagnostic methods, and current recommendations for initial therapy.