During the last decades fungal infections have become a serious complication with a significant impact on the length of hospital stay and mortality in hospitalized patients. Candida infections occur not only in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies but also in patients with other forms of immune deficiency e.g. in those undergoing abdominal surgery, solid organ transplantations and those admitted to the ICU. The growing incidence of candida infections dates from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. The introduction of fluconazole resulted in a slow decrease in the incidence of candidiasis and a lower occurrence of Candida albicans infections, and a relatively higher incidence of infections caused by non- albicans Candida species. In spite of this the mortality remains high at 40-50% on some wards. In order to achieve better treatment results, better diagnostic tools and new antifungal agents are needed but greater awareness and better education of the medical staff are also essential.

        Key words: invasive candidiasis – candidiasis – incidence – mortality – risk factors – candidemia – transplantation