Fungemia overview
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Diagnosis |
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Fungemia overview On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Fungemia 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.
Causes
The most commonly known pathogen
- Candida albicans, causing roughly 70% of fungemias
- Candida glabrata with 10%
- Aspergillus with 1%.
- Tinea glabrata
- Candida tropicalis
- C. krusei
- C. parapsilosis
Risk Factors
Immunocompromised patients, long term severe illnesses, use of broad spectrum antibiotics and colonization of fungi are the major risk factors for development of fungemia.
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
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.
Laboratory Findings
The diagnosis is complicated, as routine blood cultures have poor sensitivity.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Treatment involves use of antifungals, e.g. fluconazole or amphotericin.