Infecção relacionada à assistência à saúde causada por leveduras do gênero Candida

Abstract

Nosocomial Infection is that acquired after admission the patient and manifested during hospitalization or after discharge, while it may be related to hospitalization or hospital procedures. Fungal nosocomial infections have increased substantially in recent decades, since the dominant group in this type of infection are the yeasts of the genus Candida. The main species isolated is Candida albicans, but other species such as C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. guillermondii have been distinguishing itself within the fungal infections. The main virulence factors of this genus are: the ability to grow at 37°C, phenotypic variability, pleomorphism, formation of hyphae and pseudohyphae, production of proteinases and phospholipases, among other. Numerous risk factors linked to the hosts have been implicated as facilitators for the development of infections caused by Candida spp., for example, use of antibacterial, presence of central venous catheters, total parenteral nutrition and prolonged hospitalization in an intensive care unit. Thus, bloodstream infections and urinary tract infections caused by Candida spp. has occurred frequently in hospitalized patients. Thus, it is necessary the use of rapid and effective identification of these microorganisms, thereby providing an appropriate therapy. The mains antifungals with action in in Candida spp. used in Brazil are the polyene amphotericin B and azoles such as ketoconazole and miconazole (imidazole) or itraconazole, fluconazole and voriconazole (triazole). Finally, the prevention of hospital infection fungus is similar to that of many other nosocomial infections, which consists of washing hands of health professionals, adoption of appropriate measures in handling of catheters and control the use of antimicrobials.