Venous catheter-associated candidemia.

Fifty-five patients with venous catheter-associated candidemia were seen over a 13-year period. Thirty-five patients recovered from the infection. Twenty-six of these patients became afebrile within 72 hours of catheter removal; none were treated with systemic antifungal agents. Endophthalmitis appeared in four patients, three of whom had significant loss of vision. Nine patients had persistent candidemia following catheter removal and required antifungal therapy; none developed metastatic infection. Twenty other critically ill patients died during fungemia. Two of these patients were found to have Candida endocarditis that arose from previous catheter infections not suspected of being caused by this organism. Prevention of candidemia by proper care of indwelling vascular catheters is the ultimate goal. Appropriate management of the episodes of candidemia that occur may avert serious metastatic complications.