[Candida peritonitis]

Abstract

Candida spp. is a component of the endogenous flora of the digestive tract and can consequently form part of the etiology of almost any type of abdominal infection. Candida spp. is therefore frequently isolated in polymicrobial secondary peritonitis due to intestinal suture dehiscence. In these cases, there is no clear consensus on when Candida spp. isolation in peritoneal drainage fluid represents infection rather than colonization. The general recommendation is to interpret that there is infection when the sample containing the pathogen is intraoperative or has been obtained directly from the intraabdominal collection. When Candida spp. is cultured in samples from subsequently obtained drainage fluid, colonization is a possibility. However, when these cultures are accompanied by signs of sepsis, the patient shows severity criteria or Candida spp. is repeatedly isolated, most intensivists decide to begin antifungal therapy. This treatment is similar for candidemias, disseminated invasive candidiasis and Candida peritonitis.