Prophylaxis for Candida in the intensive care unit patient

Candidemia is one of the most frequent causes of bloodstream infections in intensive care units in the United States and the developed world. It involves a substantial morbidity, crude/attributable mortality, and increased health care costs in excess of an average of $40,000 per episode. Prophylaxis is one of many strategies to control this disease; however, the success of this strategy is directly related to the selection of populations at highest risk and the availability of safe, effective, and economical drugs. Current risk assessment strategies based on clinical prediction rules offer the possibility of targeted prophylaxis, making this approach even more attractive.