Candida parapsilosis osteomyelitis

Candida parapsilosis bone marrow infection in an immunocompetent patient

Background

We discuss a case of an immunocompetent patient who presented with fever and tachypnoea, found to have Candida parapsilosis bone marrow infection, cultured on bone marrow aspirate sample. Candida parapsilosis is an opportunistic yeast pathogen that typically affects immunocompromised individuals, or occurs in patients with apparent introduced source; neither of these factors were present for this case. Bone marrow aspirates and trephines are not regular investigations for fever; however they can be useful diagnostic aids as evidenced in this case.

Case report

An 83-year-old woman presenting with fevers and tachypnoea was being treated for a systemic bacterial infection, however was unresponsive to empirical antibiotic therapy. To exclude an occult malignancy, an 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan was conducted. Significant bone marrow uptake was noted, prompting a bone marrow aspirate and trephine to investigate for a hematological malignancy. While the trephine biopsy was benign, a culture of the aspirate grew Candida parapsilosis. Intravenous antifungal therapy was initiated; however, the patient did not improve despite targeted therapy likely due to delays in diagnosis, and was palliated.

Conclusion

Our case seeks to demonstrate a novel case whereby a bone marrow aspirate culture provided a conclusive diagnosis of invasive Candida parapsilosis bone marrow infection, and guided treatment in an immunocompetent patient. It is important for clinicians to consider invasive fungal infections in febrile patients regardless of immune status. Additionally, when performing a bone marrow aspirate and trephine on a febrile patient, we recommend including aspirate fungal cultures to investigate for an invasive fungal infection.

Deep Fungal Infections of the Upper Extremity - A Review

Deep fungal infections are rare in the upper extremity. Vessel and nerve infection, synovitis, tenosynovitis, myofasciitis, arthritis and osteomyelitis have been discovered in literature. Treatment in most cases includes surgical procedure and antifungal agent use. Amputation is the final, most devastating for patient's functionality, solution. Intravenous antifungal drugs, frequently followed by oral administration, are important ancillary agents both for the initial treatment and the prevention of recurrence. We therefore performed a review of the current literature, in order to assemble the dispersed results of different studies and clarify the various aspects of upper extremity fungal infections.

Osteoarticular Mycoses

Osteoarticular mycoses are chronic debilitating infections that require extended courses of antifungal therapy and may warrant expert surgical intervention. As there has been no comprehensive review of these diseases, the International Consortium for Osteoarticular Mycoses prepared a definitive treatise for this important class of infections. Among the etiologies of osteoarticular mycoses are Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucorales, dematiaceous fungi, non-Aspergillus hyaline molds, and endemic mycoses, including those caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides species. This review analyzes the history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, inflammatory biomarkers, diagnostic imaging modalities, treatments, and outcomes of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis caused by these organisms. Candida osteomyelitis and Candida arthritis are associated with greater events of hematogenous dissemination than those of most other osteoarticular mycoses. Traumatic inoculation is more commonly associated with osteoarticular mycoses caused by Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus molds. Synovial fluid cultures are highly sensitive in the detection of Candida and Aspergillus arthritis. Relapsed infection, particularly in Candida arthritis, may develop in relation to an inadequate duration of therapy. Overall mortality reflects survival from disseminated infection and underlying host factors.

Candida parapsilosis osteomyelitis following dog bite: a case report and review of the literature

Candida osteomyelitis is uncommon, especially after dog bites. We describe a case of a 63-year-old man without significant comorbidities presenting progressing swelling of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ) of right index finger following a dog bite. Despite empiric antibiotic therapy and local medications, there were no clinical signs of improvement. Clinical examination revealed fistula with purulent drainage on the volar region. Even though laboratory data showed inflammatory markers on range, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated signs of osteomyelitis. The patient was taken to exploration and debridement of the bite wound. Culture of the bone biopsy showed growth of Candida parapsilosis. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with isolated fungal osteomyelitis and was initiated on fluconazole therapy. The treatment was effective and all symptoms were resolved in 8 weeks after the surgery. There were no signs of recurrence after 20 months of follow-up. The patient had no cosmetic abnormalities or sequelae. Concurrently with the description of the case report a review of the literature was provided. According to the authors, there are three main etiopathogenesis for this infection. The first pathogenic mechanism is direct inoculation into the deep tissues through the dog bite. The second hypothesis is direct translocation of the pathogen from the skin to the deep tissue and to the bone. The last mode of transmission is hematogenous dissemination. Fungal osteomyelitis are really rare conditions, especially after dog bites, but nevertheless it should be considered as a possible diagnosis when there is no response to antibiotics.

Candida fracture-related infection: a systematic review

Background: The aim of this study is to summarize and improve knowledge regarding a Candida fracture-related infection (CFRI) through a systematic review on the topic, accompanied by a case report. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA statement were conducted on the CFRI topic. The following combined search terms were used to explore PubMed, Cochrane, and the Embase database: "fungal infection", "candida", "fracture related infection", "bone infection", "orthopedic infection", "internal fixation", "post-traumatic infection", and "osteomyelitis". Results: Out of 1514 records, only 5 case reports matched the selection criteria and were included. Moreover, a new case of CFRI, not previously described, was reported in this paper and reviewed. The main risk factors for CFRI were open wounds (three cases) and immunodeficiency (three cases). Initial improvement of clinical and laboratory signs of infection was noted in all cases. In the available short-term follow-up (mean 12.1 months; range 3-42), the reoperation rate was 33.3 %. Using a strategy based on extensive debridement/resection methods and prolonged systemic antifungal therapy (mean 8.8 weeks; range 6-18), four of six cases (66.6 %) were cured. Bone union occurred in three out of six cases. Conclusion: There is very low-quality evidence available regarding CFRI. Candida infections in surgically treated fractures are rare but difficult-to-treat events, with a slow onset, unspecific symptoms or signs, and a significant relapse risk; therefore, they still represent a current diagnostic challenge. The existing fracture-related infection treatment algorithm combined with long-term systemic antifungal therapy has an anecdotal value and needs more extensive studies to be validated.

A rare cause of osteomyelitis of distal phalanx: Candida lusitaniae

Osteomyelitis of the phalanx caused by Candida species are rare. A 49-year-old female patient was admitted to an external center with a splinter injury of the third phalanx of the middle finger of her left hand about 45 days ago. She was referred to our clinic with persistent pain and discharge, despite four-week antibiotherapy. Debridement and curettage were performed and partial excision of the distal phalanx at an appropriate level was done. Her complaints gradually resolved postoperatively with prescribed antibiotics for the pathogen identified as Candida lusitaniae based on the intraoperative cultures. At her three-month follow-up visit, treatment yielded near-excellent results. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of osteomyelitis of the distal phalanx caused by Candida lusitaniae in the literature, highlighting the importance of definitive diagnosis and pathogen-specific treatment, rather than empirical treatment, to achieve favorable results with cure.

Clavicular Osteomyelitis Secondary to Candida Parapsilosis Infection

Candida parapsilosis osteomyelitis is a rare diagnosis. Candidal infection can occur via hematogenous or local spread. A localized swelling around a bony structure should raise clinical suspicion. Diagnosis is made by a combination of imaging modalities and biopsy. Anecdotal case reports have been reported in medical literature and treatment guidelines are very limited. Treatment modality includes a combination of surgical debridement and antifungal therapy.