Candidemia Is Increasing Among Injection Drug Users in the U.S.

From 2014 to 2017, the percentage of candidemia cases among injection drug users more than doubled in four states where data were available.

Injection drug use (IDU) is a known risk factor for bloodstream infection due to Candida species, but the magnitude of this risk has not been defined.

Now, health departments from nine states in collaboration with the CDC analyzed data from an active, population-based surveillance system to explore the impact of IDU on the incidence of candidemia.

During 2017, 1191 cases of candidemia were identified among 1139 patients older than 12 years of age. Among these cases, 10.7% were associated with a history of IDU. In four states where pre-2017 data were available, the proportion of candidemia cases associated with a history of IDU increased from 6.9% in 2014 to 15.2% in 2017 (P=0.001). Candidemia patients with history of IDU were significantly yo…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Candidemia Is Increasing Among Injection Drug Users in the U.S.

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Reviewing Author