Micafungin vs. Liposomal Amphotericin B for Severe Candida Infections

Treatment success was equivalent between micafungin and liposomal amphotericin B, but fewer treatment-related adverse events occurred with micafungin.

To deal with the increasing prevalence of serious Candida infections, particularly those caused by non-albicans species, researchers have developed an array of antifungal agents, including voriconazole, liposomal amphotericin B, and the echinocandins. Micafungin, a new echinocandin, is active against Candida spp. and has little mechanism-based toxicity. In a recent multinational, randomized, double-blind trial, investigators compared micafungin with liposomal amphotericin B in adults with candidemia or invasive candidiasis. The manufacturer of micafungin supported and designed the study, collected the data, and performed the statistical analyses.

Of the 392 patients included in the per-protocol analysis, 202 received micafungin, and 190 rece…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD