[Invasive candidiasis in severely ill burned patients]

The advances in burn care therapy have extended considerably the survival of seriously burned patients, exposing them to infectious complications, notably fungal infections. Due to the difficulty in the diagnosis of invasive mycoses and their high associated mortality rates, approaches to prophylactic or pre-emptive antifungal therapy in high-risk burned patients have been proposed, although these guidelines remain controversial. On the other hand, the management of these conditions is a serious problem, especially in critically ill patients with multiorgan failure, including severely ill burn patients due to the shortage of available antifungal agents. However, in the last several years, the range of antifungal agents has been significantly extended, which have led to an improvement in the treatment of invasive fungal infection in this population.

We report a case of invasive candidiasis in a severelly ill burns patient successfully treated with an echinocandin. In this case report, current treatment options are discussed, and a review of the literature of previously published cases is made.

There are still significant gaps in our knowledge of the optimal diagnostic and management approach for invasive candidiasis in burn patients. Prospective studies are needed in this population to optimise management and improve outcomes in this state of high morbidity and mortality.