Caspofungin for Preventive and Preemptive Therapy of Invasive Candidiasis

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is the third most common bloodstream infection in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although targeted prophylaxis has been shown to be useful in certain populations, no large or multicenter trials have been performed to examine its efficacy or safety in the ICU setting. Earlier studies have established clinical prediction rules that identify patients at risk for IC, and the use of serum levels of the fungal cell wall component (1,3)-β-d-glucan (BG) could identify those in need of preemptive antifungal therapy.

Now, researchers in the Mycoses Study Group have reported the results of a manufacturer-supported, phase IV, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of caspofungin prophylaxis in adults at high risk fo…