From the Guidelines
Prevalence of Candida Endocarditis
The prevalence of Candida endocarditis is estimated to be approximately 2-4% of all cases of infective endocarditis, with Candida albicans being one of the most commonly implicated species, although cases are fairly evenly divided between C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species 1.
Risk Factors and Clinical Presentation
Risk factors for Candida endocarditis include cardiac valvular surgery, injection drug use, cancer chemotherapy, prolonged presence of central venous catheters (CVCs), and prior bacterial endocarditis 1. The signs, symptoms, and complications are generally similar to those of bacterial endocarditis, except for the frequent occurrence of large emboli to major vessels 1.
Treatment
Treatment typically involves a combination of antifungal medications, such as amphotericin B (AmB) deoxycholate or echinocandins, often in conjunction with surgical valve replacement 1. Fluconazole monotherapy is associated with an unacceptably high rate of relapse and mortality 1, but it can be useful for step-down therapy. The duration of treatment is typically 6-12 weeks, depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's response to therapy.
Prognosis and Follow-Up
The prognosis for Candida endocarditis is poor, with a 1-year mortality rate >50% and substantial relapse rates 1. Therefore, follow-up should be maintained for several years after treatment to monitor for potential relapse 1.
From the Research
Prevalence of Candida Endocarditis
- There are no research papers provided that directly address the prevalence of Candida endocarditis.
- The studies available focus on different topics, such as infective endocarditis in pregnancy 2, the global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation 3, and the epidemiology of renal cell carcinoma 4.
- None of these studies provide information on the prevalence of Candida endocarditis, which is a specific type of fungal infection affecting the heart valves.
- Therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive answer to the question based on the available evidence.