Risk factors for candidemia in cancer patients: a case-control study

Risk factors for candidemia were analyzed in a case-control study of 30 cancer patients with candidemia and 58 controls. In a univariate analysis, previous surgery, neutropenia, central catheterization, chemotherapy, specific antibiotic treatments, and peripheral cultures positive for Candida spp. were associated with a significantly increased risk of candidemia. In a multivariate logistic model, the significant risk factors for candidemia were positive peripheral cultures for Candida spp. (P = 0.02), central catheterization (P = 0.03), and neutropenia (P = 0.05). These results should help to identify cancer patients with a high risk of candidemia, who should be given early systemic antifungal therapy.