Problem of postoperative candidemias in children
There has been a rise of candidemias in the pattern of nosocomial infections, among intensive care unit neonates and infants, in particular. The important role in the spread of candidemias is shown to be played by the altered species composition towards the problem strains as, along with <i>C. albicans</i>, there is an increase in the rate of candidemias associated with <i>Candida non-albicans </i>(<i>C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei</i>) that is lowly susceptible or resistant to fluconazole. The authors have attempted to systemize the data available in the literature pertinent to various aspects of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of candidemia in high-risk patients. The potential mechanisms of mycotic resistance, particularly the paradoxical growth phenomenon in the presence of caspofungin are discussed.