Fungal Biomarkers to Reduce Duration of Empirical Antifungal Therapy: a Randomized Comparative Study (STAFE)

Fungal Biomarkers to Reduce Duration of Empirical Antifungal Therapy: a Randomized Comparative Study

The investigators hypothesized that the use of biomarkers of invasive fungal infections would increase the percentage of early discontinuation of empirical antifungal therapy and thus reduce the duration of treatment in ICU patients.

The duration of empirical/preemptive anti fungal treatment will be based in the intervention group on biomarker results.

Biomarkers of fungal disease will performed before starting anti fungal treatment and at day 4.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > or = 18 years
• Patients requiring empiric antifungal therapy the first time in the ICU
• Predictable duration of hospitalization in the ICU ≥ 6 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neutropenia (WBC <1000 or neutrophils <500/mm3)
• Immunosuppressive therapy (chemotherapy within 3 months prior to the ICU admission, solid organ graft under immunosuppressive therapy)
• invasive fungal infection documented in the three previous months
• Antifungal treatment in the three previous months
• Pregnant or lactating women