TABLE 23.
Candidemia risk factors for hospitalized patientsa
| Risk factorb | Possible role in infection |
|---|---|
| Antimicrobial agents* | Promote fungal colonization |
| Number | Provide intravascular access |
| Duration | |
| Adrenal corticosteroid | Immunosuppression |
| Age | Immunosuppression |
| Chemotherapy* | Immunosuppression |
| Mucosal disruption | |
| Malignancy | Immunosuppression |
| Previous colonization* | Translocation across mucosa |
| Gastric acid suppression* | Colonization and translocation |
| Indwelling catheter* | Direct vascular access |
| Central venous catheter | Contaminated product |
| Pressure transducer | |
| TPN* | Direct vascular access |
| Hyperglycemia | |
| Contamination of infusate | |
| Neutropenia (<500/mm3)* | Immunosuppression |
| Surgery (gastrointestinal)* | Route of infection |
| Direct vascular access | |
| Mechanical ventilation | Route of infection |
| Renal failure/hemodialysis* | Route of infection |
| Immunosuppression | |
| Malnutrition | Immunosuppression |
| Hospital or intensive care unit stay | Exposure to pathogens |
| Exposure to additional risk factors | |
| Severity of disease | Immunosuppression |
| Invasive procedures |