Liver failure complicated by fungous septicemia in 21 patients

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of patients with liver failure complicated by fungous septicemia.MethodsGrowthof fungus was observed in patients with liver failure admitted to our hospital in January 1986-June 2006.ResultsOf the 509 patients,21（4.13%）, including 16 over the age of 60 years, were diagnosed with fungous septicemia. Their average hospital stay time was 42.5 days. After treatment with antifungal agents, complete recovery was achieved in 5 patients, improvement in 4 patients, deathand/or no improvement in 12 patients, respectively.ConclusionFungous septicemia mainly occurs in immunocompromised patientswith liver failure with a high mortality. Delayed diagnosis, incorrect treatment, and inadequate therapy time of the disease would leadto a poor prognosis.