Candidemia is defined as the presence of growth of any candida species in at least one blood culture obtained by either peripheral venipuncture or through an indwelling central venous catheter.

The presence or absence of potential risk factors for candidemia such as an indwelling central venous catheter (CVC), use of antibiotics (administered for >72 hours), use of antifungals (administered for >24 hours), immunosuppressants, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation, neutropenia, hypoalbuminemia and hypophosphatemia.

Death which ensues within 30 days of the onset of candidemia with no apparent alternative cause is recognized as a candidemia-attributable mortality. Patients who died and survived were compared according to candida species (C.albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. sake, C.glabrata).