Clinical experience of Anidulafungin for the treatment of patients with documented Candidemia

Candida species are the most common causes of invasive fungal infections in humans, producing infections that range from mucocutaneous disorders to invasive disease that can involve any organ. Here we present our clinical experience with anidulafungin for the treatment of documented nosocomial candidaemia. From February 2009 through January 2010 all patients with documented candidemia treated with anidulafungin in three medical centers in Italy were reviewed. Demographics, clinical and microbiological data, and outcome were collected for each patient. Twenty-four patients were included in the study. Most patients had a central venous catheter (CVC) or a Port-a-cath (100%), had a history of recent surgery (87.5%), or were receiving total parenteral nutrition (79%), broad spectrum antibiotics (83%), steroids or chemotherapy (45.8%). C. albicans (54%) was the most commonly isolated pathogen. CVC was the source of candidemia in 79% of cases. Six patients (25%) developed severe sepsis or septic shock, and five patients had unfavorable outcomes, with an overall mortality rate of 20%. No patients experienced side effects related to anidulafungin therapy. Anidulafungin was effective in the treatment of patients with documented candidemia arising from different sites, and no significant side effects were observed. © E.S.I.F.T. srl - Firenze.