Candida Infection in Critically Ill Patients

Some decades ago, yeasts were not recognized as pathogens [1, 2]. Since the 1980s the pathogenicity of fungi has gained more and more attention, first in immunocompromised patients and later on in critically ill patients as well [3]. Critically ill patients are frequently colonized with yeasts. Amongst other reasons, extensive use of broad spectrum antibiotics in critically ill patients lead to overgrowth in the digestive tract and other organs. Overgrowth is the most important factor in the development of fungal infection. This sequence of events is amplified by decreased motility of the digestive tract during critical illness. In addition, contributing to yeast infection is the fact that critically ill patients are immunodeficient, especially in the cellular immune functions.