Antifungal therapy in the ITU/HDU setting in the Czech Republic: Prospective, observational study

This prospective, questionnaire, observational study collected data on 123 patients in whom antifungal therapy was commenced during the observed month. Total 116 patients from 23 Czech Republic ITU/HDUs were included in the analysis. The most frequent indication for antifungal therapy was pre-emptive treatment (73 patients). Targeted antifungal therapy was used in 20 patients. The most commonly cited reasons for commencing antifungal therapy were urinary catheter, central venous catheter, invasive airway management, total parenteral nutrition, mechanical ventilation and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. The most frequently used initial antifungal agent was intravenous fluconazole and the most commonly isolated fungal organism was Candida albicans. Mortality of antifungal-treated patients in the observed period reached 25%. Our outcomes mostly match the outcomes of similar studies performed abroad.