Echinocandins for candidemia: a rational choice

Authors

  • Francesco Menichetti Direttore U.O.C. Malattie Infettive – Ospedale Cisanello, Pisa
  • Enrico Tagliaferri U.O.C. Malattie Infettive – Ospedale Cisanello, Pisa


DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7175/rhc.v4i2S.872

Keywords:

Echinocandins, Candidemia, Invasive candidiasis

Abstract

Among antifungal drugs, echinocandins (micafungin, caspofungin and anidulafungin) represent a rational choice for the first-line therapy of candidemia/invasive candidiasis in critically ill patients. Among other properties characterizing echinocandins, it’s important to emphasize the broad spectrum of activity, the fungicidal activity against the majority of Candida spp., and the activity against the biofilm. Furthermore, echinocandins show greater efficacy than conventional amphotericin B and fluconazole, and similar efficacy to liposomal amphotericin B (but they are less toxic). Finally, echinocandins are recommended at the highest level of evidence (AI) for the treatment of invasive candidiasis by IDSA and ESCMID guidelines.

References

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Mycamine (micafungin sodium) – Summary of Product Characteristics

Cancidas (caspofungin) – Summary of Product Characteristics

Ecalta (anidulafungin) – Summary of Product Characteristics

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Published

2013-08-15

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2S (2013)

Section

Supplement

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