Austrian clinical practice with anidulafungin in 2008: a multicenter survey

Anidulafungin had demonstrated favorable efficacy versus fluconazole in a randomized trial on invasive Candida infections. Since patient characteristics in the post-approval use of antifungals likely deviate from clinical trials, we surveyed the use of anidulafungin in clinical routine. We performed a retrospective survey of the post-approval use of anidulafungin in 9 Austrian clinical centers. Anidulafungin was used in 129 critically ill patients with severe comorbidities and multiple risk factors. Indications were suspected invasive fungal infections (IFI) (61%), proven candidemia (19%), and at risk for IFI (prophylaxis, 20%). Candida colonization in conjunction with other risk factors prompted treatment in many patients. predominant pathogens were C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei. Anidulafungin was mostly used for pre-emptive (69%) and first-line treatment (17%) of invasive candidiasis. Treatment response, i.e. complete response/stabilization as determined by investigators (89% in the overall population; 87% for documented candidemia) and survival rates (81% and 75%, respectively) were similar to previous trial data. No breakthrough IFI and few adverse events were reported. Overall, favorable clinical experiences were documented with anidulafungin in the clinical routine setting.