Breakthrough Candidemia in Patients with Cancer Differs from De Novo Candidemia in Host Factors andCandidaSpecies But Not Intensity

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the risk factors associated with breakthrough candidemia in patients with cancer and to compare them with those of de novo candidemia in this patient population. DESIGN: Retrospective case series of 120 episodes of candidemia, 90 de novo and 30 breakthrough candidemias.Setting: University-affiliated, tertiary-care cancer center in Houston, Texas.Patients: All patients with cancer who acquired candidemia between January 1993 and December 1998 were included if they had non-catheter-related candidemia and information about quantitative blood cultures.Results: Although less frequent, breakthrough candidemia was seen more often in neutropenic patients with leukemia. The intensity of breakthrough candidemia was comparable to that of de novo candidemia. Most (70%) of the breakthrough candidemias were due toCandida glabrataorC. krusei.Conclusions: In breakthrough candidemia, the same risk factors seen in de novo candidemia were encountered, although more frequently.C. glabrataandC. kruseiare the leading causes of breakthrough candidemia in patients with cancer.