A ten-year review of Candida sepsis and mortality in burn patients

A retrospective analysis of Candida sepsis was carried out in 1722 burn patients admitted to this center from 1975 to 1984. Cultures were positive for Candida in 233 (13.5%) of these patients during their hospitalization. Candidemia was present in 70 (4.0%) of the 1722 patients. Of the 70 patients with candidemia, 38 (54%) died. However, only 11 patients (15.7%) died of Candida sepsis or mixed Candida and bacterial sepsis (less than 1% of the total patient population). The remaining 27 patients who had candidemia died of bacterial septicemia or organ system failure. The low incidence of Candida and the low incidence of mortality due to Candida was attributed to a comprehensive program of prevention, detection, and treatment. Early initiation of treatment with amphotericin B was an important aspect of the program.