Candida colonization and haematogenous infection were studied retrospectively in 277 patients with haematological diseases by reviewing the microbiological reports of fungal surveillance and blood cultures over a 4-year period. Most patients (83%) were colonized by Candida and in the majority (68%) the same Candida species was isolated from at least 2 body sites. However, candidaemia was diagnosed in only 3 patients. During the same period invasive aspergillosis was diagnosed in 7 patients. Possible causes for the low incidence of candidaemia were fluconazole prophylaxis, empirical amphotericin B and strict indication for antibacterial therapy.