The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of candidemia in outpatients with renal replacement therapy (RRT) by hemodialysis where the fungemia clearly represents a healthcare-associated infection.
We retrospectively collected clinical and laboratory data from patients undergoing at least 3 months of RRT by hemodialysis who developed candidemia within 48 h of hospital admission.
We identified 14 patients with candidemia with central venous catheters (CVC) in place for 11–277 days before developing fungemia. Deep-seated infection was documented in 6 out of 14 candidiasis cases (43%), including 5 cases of endocarditis (36%).
CVC in patients under RRT should be promptly replaced by fistulas and grafts to avoid bloodstream infections. Facing a case of candidemia, adequate source control and prompt initiation of antifungal therapy are mandatory to avoid morbidity and mortality.