The 2025 guidance on the surveillance and control of Candida infections: Recommendations from the China invasive fungal surveillance net (CHIF-NET) study group

Candida infections are among the most common fungal diseases worldwide and are associated with notable morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Moreover, the emergence and spread of antifungal resistance pose an increasing threat to global public health. Therefore, evidence-based recommendations are urgently needed to guide the surveillance and control of Candida infections. A multidisciplinary guidance development group comprising experts of infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, pharmacology, infection control, and guideline methodology jointly developed the present clinical practice guidance. The process followed internationally recognized grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) framework. Clinical questions were formulated based on priority issues or areas of uncertainty in current practice, and corresponding recommendations were developed after systematic review and synthesis of the best available evidence. The strength of recommendations was classified as strong or conditional (weak), and the certainty of evidence was graded from high to low. The guidance provides recommendations on diagnostic strategies, antifungal therapy, and infection prevention and control measures for Candida infections, integrating both global evidence and national clinical experience. The target users include clinicians, microbiologists, infection control practitioners, and policymakers involved in the management of fungal diseases. The guidance aims to support optimized clinical decision-making, improve antifungal stewardship, and strengthen infection control strategies to address the growing challenge posed by Candida infections.