Candida parotitis with abscess formation

Bilateral Candidal abscess of the parotid gland: A case report and literature review

We report the case of a 75-year-old diabetic man who developed a bilateral abscess of the parotid gland. Although a bacterial parotitis was first suspected, cultures of fine-needle aspiration identified Candida albicans as the causal agent. Failure of medical treatment led us to perform a surgical drainage of the right abscess. The patient was then treated with oral fluconazole for 6 weeks, with complete recovery during follow-up. Of interest, the patient had a history of right superficial parotidectomy for a benign tumor 30 years ago. Despite the high prevalence of oral carriage, fungal abscesses of the parotid gland are extremely rare and have only been reported in a few cases. This might be due to the fungal toxicity of the salivary proteins, like histatins. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Candida albicans abscess of the parotid gland developed bilaterally.

Candida Infection Associated with Salivary Gland-A Narrative Review

Candida species are common global opportunistic pathogens that could repeatedly and chronically cause oral mucosa infection and create an inflammatory environment, leading to organ dysfunction. Oral Candida infections may cause temporary or permanent damage to salivary glands, resulting in the destruction of acinar cells and the formation of scar tissue. Restricted function of the salivary glands leads to discomfort and diseases of the oral mucosa, such as dry mouth and associated infection. This narrative review attempts to summarize the anatomy and function of salivary glands, the associations between Candida and saliva, the effects of Candida infection on salivary glands, and the treatment strategies. Overall, clinicians should proactively manage Candida infections by educating patients on oral hygiene management for vulnerable populations, conducting frequent checks for a timely diagnosis, and providing an effective treatment plan.

Brucella melitensis infection within warthin tumor of the parotid gland

Brucellosis is a zoonotic systemic infectious disease, and multiorgan involvement is commonly seen, but involvement of the neck is a rare presentation of brucellosis. Granulomatous infections of the parotid gland are extremely rare. Warthin tumor is a well-known benign neoplasm of the salivary glands. In this report, we describe a Warthin tumor associated with Brucella melitensis in the same parotid gland.

[Abscess of the parotid gland]

Inflammatory processes developing in the region of parotid gland can be specific or non-specific. Non-specific inflammation of bacterial or viral origin, which almost always are secondary to inflammatory processes in the region of oral cavity and pharynx, can be caused by presence of sialoliths in parotid gland or in the excretory duct. In the paper we presented 11 patients treated for the reason of parotid gland abscesses. Etiology, the course of the disease, and the method of treatment were analyzed.

Apophysomyces elegans causing acute otogenic cervicofacial zygomycosis involving salivary glands

Zygomycosis is an invasive, life threatening fungal infection that usually affects immunocompromised hosts. In the head and neck region, rhino-orbito-cerebral zygomycosis is more common than the cervicofacial variety. We report the first case of otogenic cervicofacial zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans involving the salivary glands, an uncommon site of infection. The case began after a trivial trauma in a diabetic patient and despite surgical debridement and liposomal amphotericin B therapy, the patient died due to extensive involvement and metabolic/hemodynamic complications.

Cases presenting as parotid abscesses in children

BACKGROUND

A parotid abscess is a rare complication of acute suppurative parotitis which most often requires hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and surgical drainage.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical picture, treatment, and prognosis of children with a parotid abscess in a search for optional clinical guidelines for treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for 10 children (age<or=17) with a parotid abscess between January 1996 and December 2005.

RESULTS

Of the 10 cases of parotid abscess found, 4 children had had parotid-related symptoms before; bacterial culture was positive in 6; 4 had aerobic Gram-positive pathogens, and 1 girl had parotid tuberculosis. All patients received intravenous antibiotic therapy. The initial diagnostic method was ultrasound in nine cases and MRI in one. Four children underwent surgical drainage, and in three cases there was an ultrasound guided needle aspiration of the abscess. Neither surgical drainage nor aspiration led to fistula formation or any other complication. The abscess ruptured spontaneously through the skin of the periauricular area in two cases and into the ear canal in one. During follow-up, all were symptom-free except for two girls diagnosed with first brachial cleft fistulas. One of these also had a reoccurrence of the parotid abscess. Both later underwent superficial parotidectomy due to persistent symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Most parotid abscesses in children are acute multi-bacterial infections not necessarily related to other parotid gland pathologies. Intravenous antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, but surgical drainage assists in recovery and should not lead to fistula formation.