Candidal abscess of the parotid gland due toCandida glabrata: report of a case and literature review

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.

Amplification of blood smear DNA to confirm disseminated histoplasmosis

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of the Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum (Hcc) histoplasmosis may be underestimated West Africa, both because the diagnosis is not mentioned in the early stages of the disease and due to limited biological resources available.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis due to Hcc in a Senegalese HIV patient. The diagnosis was suspected following the demonstration of small encapsulated yeasts within neutrophils on a thin blood smear. It was further confirmed using a specific real-time PCR applied on a DNA specimen extracted from the thin blood smear.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Hcc infection diagnosed in Senegal. Blood smear may be a valuable screening tool in the case of bloodstream dissemination and can be used for further molecular approaches to confirm the diagnosis.

The coccidioidomycosis conundrum: a rare parotid mass

A man, age 62 years, presented to the clinic with a 2-week history of increased nontender, nonerythematous, indurated right-sided parotid swelling. A 4 × 6-cm firm, well-circumscribed mass was palpated in the right parotid gland. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed on the parotid mass with aspiration of 0.5 cc of purulent fluid with some blood. Cultures from the aspirate revealed Coccidioides immitis confirmed by DNA probe. Pathology slides revealed fungal spores. The patient was treated with 800 mg of fluconazole every day for 3 months with resolution of the parotid swelling. However, persistent cervical adenopathy remains.Although this is a rare case of acute parotid swelling, Coccidioides immitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid masses in a patient with previous coccidioidomycosis. There may be a potential for an increase in frequency and variety of atypical extrapulmonary manifestations of coccidioidomycosis that parallels the increase in coccidioidomycotic pulmonary infections. Long-term antifungal therapy appears essential for control.