The importance of candida as an infectious agent.

During the two and a half year period from January 1971 through Jyly 1973, 23 patients had cultures positive for candida from intra-abdominal isolates. Most of these patients had intestinal or biliary fistulas or abscesses and were seriously ill. Major contributing factors to the development of candidal infections included the extensive use of multiple antibiotics, multiple operations, advanced age, and debility. Thirty additional patients had cultures positive for candida from skin and subcutaneous isolates. Candida appeared to contribute to the poor healing of wounds in some of these patients, particularly those with peripheral vascular ischemic lesions and decubitus ulcers. Antibiotics and concurrent diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, renal failure, and cardiovascular disease, were common factors relating to the development and growth of candida in these patients. There is often considerable difficulty in determing whether or not candida is only a contaminant or is an infectious agent contributing to the illness of the patient. This must be determined in each individual instance. In spite of the fact that candida appeared to be a significant infectious agent in many of these patients, specific antifungal therapy was used sparsely. It is suggested that appropriate antifungal drugs be used in patients with significant disease and that there should be greater awareness of the factors leading to the development of these extremely serious candidal infections.