Outcome in critically ill patients with candidal fungaemia: Candida albicans vs. Candida glabrata

In a retrospective study (1 January 1992-12 December 1998), we investigated population characteristics and outcome in critically ill patients with fun gaemia involving C. albicans (n=41) and C. glabrata (n=15). Patients with C . glabrata fungaemia were significantly older compared with patients in the C. albicans group (P=0.024). There were no other differences in population characteristics or severity of illness. Logistic regression analysis showe d age (P=0.021), the presence of a polymicrobial blood stream infection (P= 0.039), and renal failure (P=0.044) to be independent predictors of mortali ty. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between th e C. glabrata and C. albicans groups (60.0% vs. 41.5%; P=0.24). Since age w as an independent predictor of mortality, the trend towards a higher mortal ity in patients with C. glabrata can be explained by this population being significantly older. In conclusion, ne found no difference in mortality bet ween patients with fungaemia involving C. albicans and C. glabrata. (C) 200 1 The Hospital Infection Society.