Successful treatment of Candida krusei infection with caspofungin acetate: a new antifungal agent

OBJECTIVE: Systemic fungal infections have high mortality, and therapy is often toxic. Caspofungin acetate, a new antifungal agent with minimal toxicity, may provide a better alternative to typical therapy for Candida krusei. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) of a community teaching hospital. PATIENT: A 22-yr-old male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Candida krusei fungemia failed therapy with fluconazole and amphotericin B. INTERVENTIONS: Caspofungin acetate given intravenously as a 70-mg loading dose, followed up by 50 mg daily along with standard ICU care. RESULTS: Survival without toxicity from therapy. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of caspofungin acetate in a patient with life-threatening Candida Krusei infection.