Video:New Treatment for Serious Candida Infections

April 26, 2007

New Treatment for Serious Candida Infections

April 26, 2007 (Insidermedicine)

Insider Medicine - Kingston,Ontario,Canada

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A new treatment for a type of fungus that can lead to life-

threatening infections is as effective as the current standard

therapy but has fewer side effects, according to a study published

in The Lancet.

The Candida species of fungi are prevalent in the human body, and co-

exist with other species of bacteria. If the population of native

bacteria is decreased by antibiotics or if the patient's immune

defenses are weakened by illness or medications, Candida fungi can

multiply enough to cause infections. These can affect the mouth and

genitals, and in some cases cause sepsis – a life-threatening

infection resulting in fever, low blood pressure, and shock.

Infections caused by Candida fungi have become more prevalent in

recent years due mainly to the increased use of drugs which

compromise the patient's immune system, leaving it unable to fight

infections, mostly in patients with cancer and organ transplants.

The drugs used to treat patients with Candida fungi are generally

quite effective but can be associated with serious side effects.

In this study, researchers tested the effectiveness of two drugs:

liposomal amphotericin B and micafungin, to treat common, but

potentially life-threatening Candida infections. Just over 530

patients were treated with either 100 mg/day of micafungin or 3 mg

per kilogram daily liposomal amphotericin B.

Both drugs proved to be 89% effective, but micafungin produced fewer

treatment-related side effects. Increased problems with kidney

function, and side effects during drug administration, were observed

in patients receiving amphotericin B.

Based on these results, micafungin is the first-line treatment

option for treating candidemia and invasive candidosis. Its lower

rate of side effects is of particular importance because many

patients who become ill with Candida infections already have serious

underlying health problems.

Reporting for Insidermedicine, I'm Dr. Sharma

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