Candidemia is a bloodstream infection caused by yeasts of the genus Candida spp. The most commonly isolated species in venous blood samples of hospitalized patients are: C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsiolosis, C. glabrata and C. krusei. This study aimed at providing a review of candidemia, showing some important aspects of etio-epidemiology, fungus/host relation, and laboratorial diagnosis of this emerging systemic infection. During the onset of candidemia, yeasts play a major role on several virulence factors, which ultimately promote its pathogenesis. Among them, it may be highlighted the extracellular enzyme production, dimorphism, hemolysin synthesis, adhesion ability and biofilm development. In infected patients, medicines must be administered in the early stages to minimize the risks of complications and antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, an efficient laboratory diagnosis is required. The study of these factors associated with genotype analysis may contribute decisively to the discovery of new substances that may have a preventive and/or therapeutic effect on patients with candidemia or prone to develop it.
Candidemia; Pathogenicity; Genotyping; Virulence factors