Candida Sepsis Complicating Parenteral Feeding

Abstract

Five of 22 surgical patients being treated with parenteral nutrition developed Candida albicans septicemia. Two died of this infection. All of these patients demonstrated factors known to predispose to or promote Candida sepsis. Failure of weight gain in an infant, fever otherwise unexplained, or the known presence of Candida infection elsewhere should alert the physician to the possibility of Candida septicemia. Regular periodic blood cultures may reveal organisms in the mildly symptomatic patient and facilitate early diagnosis. Treatment is removal of the central venous catheter. Amphotericin B therapy may also be required in severe cases.