Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a review

Aikaterini Flevari,1 Maria Theodorakopoulou,1 Aristea Velegraki,2 Apostolos Armaganidis,1 George Dimopoulos1 1Department of Critical Care, University Hospital Attikon, Medical School, 2Mycology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Abstract: Fu...

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Main Authors: Flevari A, Theodorakopoulou M, Velegraki A, Armaganidis A, Dimopoulos G
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2013-09-01
Series:Clinical Interventions in Aging
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/treatment-of-invasive-candidiasis-in-the-elderly-a-review-peer-reviewed-article-CIA
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author Flevari A
Theodorakopoulou M
Velegraki A
Armaganidis A
Dimopoulos G
author_facet Flevari A
Theodorakopoulou M
Velegraki A
Armaganidis A
Dimopoulos G
author_sort Flevari A
collection DOAJ
description Aikaterini Flevari,1 Maria Theodorakopoulou,1 Aristea Velegraki,2 Apostolos Armaganidis,1 George Dimopoulos1 1Department of Critical Care, University Hospital Attikon, Medical School, 2Mycology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Abstract: Fungi are major causes of infections among immunocompromised or hospitalized patients with serious underlying diseases and comorbidities. Candida species remain the most important cause of opportunistic infections worldwide, affecting predominantly patients over 65 years old, while they are considered to be the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. The rapidly growing elderly population has specific physiological characteristics, which makes it susceptible to colonization and subsequent infection due to Candida species. Comorbidities and multidrug use should be taken into account any time the therapeutic regimen is under consideration. Different classes of antifungal drugs are available for the treatment of invasive fungal infections but echinocandins, apart from their activity against resistant strains (Candida glabrata and Candida krusei), seem to be safe, with limited adverse events and minimal drug–drug interactions in comparison to the other regimens. Therefore, these agents are strongly recommended when dealing with elderly patients suffering from an invasive form of Candida infection. Keywords: emerging fungal infections, elderly patients, treatment
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spelling doaj.art-d65d12d858984340a0c0a93f3add51462022-12-21T22:59:38ZengDove Medical PressClinical Interventions in Aging1178-19982013-09-01Volume 81199120814295Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a reviewFlevari ATheodorakopoulou MVelegraki AArmaganidis ADimopoulos GAikaterini Flevari,1 Maria Theodorakopoulou,1 Aristea Velegraki,2 Apostolos Armaganidis,1 George Dimopoulos1 1Department of Critical Care, University Hospital Attikon, Medical School, 2Mycology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Abstract: Fungi are major causes of infections among immunocompromised or hospitalized patients with serious underlying diseases and comorbidities. Candida species remain the most important cause of opportunistic infections worldwide, affecting predominantly patients over 65 years old, while they are considered to be the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. The rapidly growing elderly population has specific physiological characteristics, which makes it susceptible to colonization and subsequent infection due to Candida species. Comorbidities and multidrug use should be taken into account any time the therapeutic regimen is under consideration. Different classes of antifungal drugs are available for the treatment of invasive fungal infections but echinocandins, apart from their activity against resistant strains (Candida glabrata and Candida krusei), seem to be safe, with limited adverse events and minimal drug–drug interactions in comparison to the other regimens. Therefore, these agents are strongly recommended when dealing with elderly patients suffering from an invasive form of Candida infection. Keywords: emerging fungal infections, elderly patients, treatmenthttps://www.dovepress.com/treatment-of-invasive-candidiasis-in-the-elderly-a-review-peer-reviewed-article-CIAemerging fungal infectionselderly patientstreatment
spellingShingle Flevari A
Theodorakopoulou M
Velegraki A
Armaganidis A
Dimopoulos G
Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a review
Clinical Interventions in Aging
emerging fungal infections
elderly patients
treatment
title Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a review
title_full Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a review
title_fullStr Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a review
title_full_unstemmed Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a review
title_short Treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly: a review
title_sort treatment of invasive candidiasis in the elderly a review
topic emerging fungal infections
elderly patients
treatment
url https://www.dovepress.com/treatment-of-invasive-candidiasis-in-the-elderly-a-review-peer-reviewed-article-CIA
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