PREDISPOSING FACTORS FOR INVASIVE FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS ADMITTED TO INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
Abstract
The objective of this study is to identify risk factors for invasive fungal infections in critically ill individuals in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This is an integrative, qualitative, and descriptive review conducted in April 2026. The bibliographic databases used were MEDLINE, LILACS, and IBECS via BVS. After applying eligibility and exclusion criteria, eight scientific publications were selected. Evidence demonstrates that factors such as mechanical ventilation, central venous catheters, renal replacement therapy, and parenteral nutrition favor the occurrence of invasive fungal infections in critically ill patients, which are related to longer hospital stays and clinical severity. It was found that invasive fungal infections constitute a significant diagnostic challenge due to the nonspecificity of their clinical manifestations and overlap with other conditions. In parallel, prevention plays an essential role, especially in the hospital environment, where the risk of transmission is high, requiring the rigorous adoption of infection surveillance and control measures.
Author Biographies
Intensivist Emergency Physician at the Cardiology Emergency Department of Pernambuco. PhD candidate in Health Sciences. Faculty of Medical Sciences of Pernambuco (FCM-UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
PhD in Health Sciences. University of Southern Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Graduate in Physical Therapy. University of Pernambuco (UPE), Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Medical student. UNITPAC, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil.
General practitioner. Petrópolis School of Medicine. Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Graduate in Medicine. Degree revalidated by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Postgraduate in Adult Intensive Care. R3 resident in Emergency Medicine. Municipal Health Department of São José do Rio Preto (SMS-SJRP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Graduate in Medicine. UniCesumar, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Graduate in Pharmacy and Biochemistry. Faculty of Biomedical Sciences (FACIMED), Cacoal, Rondônia, Brazil.
PhD in Neurology and Habilitation in Neuroanatomy. Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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