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Can fungal biomarkers be used to improve antifungal therapy in the intensive care unit?

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Abstract

Invasive fungal infections have an increasing incidence worldwide, and patients in intensive care settings are particularly vulnerable to them. Candidemia is the third most common bloodstream pathogen in intensive care units (ICUs) in the United States, and a number of reports have recently been published regarding the increasing incidence of invasive aspergillosis in ICUs throughout the world. Because research has shown that early antifungal therapy is associated with better outcomes, clinicians are starting to explore new diagnostic fungal markers, which are more sensitive and faster than the traditional diagnostic standards of culture and histopathology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin, MSB 2.112, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner

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  1. Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner
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Correspondence to Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner.

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Ostrosky-Zeichner, L. Can fungal biomarkers be used to improve antifungal therapy in the intensive care unit?. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 3, 147–151 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-009-0019-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-009-0019-5

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