Candidal infections of ventriculoperitoneal shunts

Although ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection is a common complication of shunt procedures, fungal infection is considered to be rare. In the present study, we performed retrospective analysis of six cases in which candida infection occurred. In all these six cases, VP shunt was performed in children for hydrocephalus and the onset of symptoms varied between seven days to one month after the surgical procedure was performed. The commonest clinical signs and symptoms were fever (100%), vomiting (100%), and altered sensorium (50%). The commonest isolate was Candida albicans (66.66%) followed by Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata in one case each. All the patients were successfully treated with Amphotericin B and there was no mortality recorded.

Renal abscess due to Escherichia coli in a child

Among the various intraabdominal abscesses, renal abscess is a rare entity, especially in children and accounts for a number of cases of "missed diagnoses." Drainage of pus and appropriate antibiotic therapy is the gold standard for treatment. Here we report a case of left renal abscess in a 6-year-old female child secondary to renal calculus. The patient presented with abdominal pain and mild fever for three months and the diagnosis was made by X-ray in the kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB) region, intravenous pyelography and ultrasonography of the abdomen. Escherichia coli was isolated from pus obtained by percutaneous drainage under sonographic guidance. The patient responded to intra-venous ceftriaxone, amikacin, and percutaneous drainage.

A rare case of Histoplasma fungemia in an AIDS patient

Disseminated cases of histoplasmosis in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are rarely reported from India. Most of these cases report isolation of this fungus from the bone marrow, lymph node aspirate, spleenic aspirate, and biopsies. We report isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from the blood of an AIDS patient. A 30-year-old male from Utter Pradesh was admitted with fever, loss of appetite, and nausea since two months. Few intracellular and extracellular budding cells were observed on bone marrow examination on the fifth day of admission. Diagnosis was confirmed by blood cultures taken on the 11th day of admission. Amphotericin B was started, but the patient's condition deteriorated and he died.

Species identification of Candida isolates obtained from oral lesions of HIV infected patients

A total of 60 patients suspected to have AIDS with oral lesions suggestive of oral candidiasis were studied. Candida species were isolated from 50 patients. Candida albicans was the commonest isolate (70 %) followed Candida parapsilosis(15%), Candida glabrata (7.5%) and Candida tropicalis (5%) respectively. Candida dubliniensis was isolated from a single case only. Though the reports from developed countries show more prevalence of the novel species Candida dubliniensis, in our study it was isolated in a single case. All the patients were treated successfully with oral fluconazole for 7 days except for the patients from which Candida glabrata was isolated, who were treated with Amphotericin B.

Cutaneous zygomycosis due to Saksenaea vasiformis in an immunocompetent host

Saksenaea vasiformis is an emerging zygomycete species, most often associated with cutaneous, subcutaneous and rhino- orbito-cerebral infections. Herein, we report a case of cutaneous zygomycosis of face caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in a 54-year-old immunocompetent female. The diagnosis was carried out by microscopy using KOH mount, Gram staining, Gomori's methenamine silver staining, hemotoxylin and eosin staining and culture on Sabouraud's Dextrose agar without actidione. Slide cultures were put up on Czapek Dox agar, which showed typical flask-shaped sporangium with rhizoids. The patient was treated successfully with intravenous amphotericin B.

Meningitis caused by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in human immunodeficiency virus seropositive patient

Rhodotorula species may be responsible for systemic infection in immunocompromised patients. Meningitis by Rhodotorula species in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected persons has been reported previously. We report a case of meningitis caused by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in a 36-year-old HIV seropositive male patient who presented with fever, altered sensorium and features of meningeal irritation i.e. neck rigidity. The Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell counts were high, showing 150 cells/mm(3), with 60% lymphocytes and 40% polymorphs, and protein content of 100 mg%; glucose was 60 mg%. The diagnosis was confirmed by culture on Sabouraud's Dextrose agar. The patient was treated successfully with intensive Amphotericin B (1 mg/kg), for two weeks, followed by oral Itraconazole (400 mg daily), for a period of two months. The patient was started on anti retroviral therapy. He did not show any relapse of the symptoms when the last follow up was done six months after the date of discharge.

A rare case of tubercular cerebellar abscess

Tubercular brain abscess are uncommon and tubercular cerebellar abscess are rarely reported. Most of these cases occur in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of multiple cerebellar abscesses in a 55-year-old HIV seronegative non-diabetic female, who complained of headache, neck pain and unsteadiness of gait since two months. She had been on treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis, diagnosed earlier. Diagnosis was made by CT scan of brain and confirmed by bacteriological examination of drained pus obtained by suboccipital craniotomy. The patient showed signs of recovery.

Sporotrichoid pattern of cutaneous nocardiasis due to Nocardia asteroids

Cutaneous nocardiosis is a rare disease, only a few cases of which have been reported from the world as well as in India. This infection, when in the lymphocutaneous form, may clinically resemble sporotrichosis, hence causing a diagnostic dilemma. Here, we report a case of primary cutaneous, sporotrichoid pattern of cutaneous nocardiosis caused by Nocardia asteroides in immunocompetent host. The patient was a 32-year-old farmer, with no predisposing factors, who presented with cutaneous nocardiosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by culture of the biopsy, after which the patient was treated successfully with antibacterial agents.

Neonatal septicaemia in a premature infant due to Candida dubliniensis

Candida dubliniensis is a recently described species that shares many features with Candida albicans. There are very few reports of isolation of this species from bloodstream in adults and paediatric population. Here we report a case of neonatal septicaemia produced by C. dubliniensis in a premature infant admitted to neonatal intensive care unit. The preterm male neonate with a gestational age of 30 weeks and a birth weight of 1.2 kg presented with respiratory distress syndrome for which mechanical ventilation was provided. In spite of receiving antibiotics, the patient developed fever. C.dubliniensis was repeatedly isolated from the blood culture of the patient collected aseptically from different sites. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B.

Prostatic abscess by Staphylococcus aureus in a diabetic patient

Prostatic abscess is uncommon and difficult to diagnose because the clinical presentation may mimic symptoms of lower urinary tract infection. We report here a case of prostatic abscess in a 50-year-old known diabetic male patient, who presented with urinary retention. Clinical diagnosis was done by clinical presentation and ultrasonography. The causative agents i.e., Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the aspirate and the patient responded to intravenous Ciprofloxacin therapy. No other surgical intervention was required to treat the patient.

Fatal rhino-orbito-cerebral infection caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in an immunocompetent individual: first case report from India

A 56-year-old female patient presented with history of nasal blockage, nasal bleeding, headache, since one month. On admission the patient developed severe headache, decreased vision of eyes and blindness. Clinical diagnosis of rhino-orbital involvement was confirmed by computerized tomography of the paranasal sinuses. The diagnosis of fungal infection was confirmed by KOH examination, haematoxylin and eosin examination and Gomori's methanamine silver stain of the biopsy material. Diagnosis was confirmed by culture on Sabouraud Dextrose agar, slide culture on Czapek Dox medium and the isolate was identified as Saksenaea vasiformis. The patient was started on intravenous amphotericin B (received only one dose before succumbing), but she did not respond to the treatment, developed hemiparesis, slurred speech, diminished reflexes and ultimately died. The involvement of the brain was confirmed by computerised tomographic scan. We believe this case to be the first case of rhino-orbito-cerebral infection due to Saksenaea vasiformis and that of second case in an immunocompetent patient in the world.

Cerebral Candida abscess in an infant

Brain abscess is uncommon in the pediatric population. Here, we report one such case due to Candida albicans in one-year-old infant, without any predisposing factors. The child presented with progressively increasing size of head circumference. The diagnosis was confirmed by CT scan of brain and microbiological investigations on the drained pus material. The patient responded to combination of surgery (drainage) and intravenous amphotericin B. Neurological development six months after hospital discharge was normal. The organism being a rare cause of cerebral abscess in pediatric population is reported here.

Tuberculous synovitis in a HIV positive patient

Tuberculosis of the appendicular skeleton is an uncommon infection by tubercle bacilli. Thirty percent of the skeletal tuberculosis involves joints, the knee being the third most common joint affected. We report a case of tubercular synovitis of the knee joint in a 30-year-old HIV seropositive male. The diagnosis was done by Ziehl-Neelsen stain and culture on Lowenstein Jensen medium, of the synovial fluid along with the X-ray findings of the knee joint. The X-ray of the chest showed findings suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient was responding well to the antitubercular treatment at the last follow up.

Phaeohyphomycosis of subcutaneous tissue caused by Phaeoacremonium parasiticum

Though Phaeoacremonium parasiticum is an unusual cause of human disease, subcutaneous infection, eumycetoma, osteomyelitis, arthritis and even disseminated diseases, such as fungemia and endocarditis have been reported. Here, we report a case of subcutaneous abscess on the forearm due to P. parasiticum in a 26-year-old woman. There were no obvious predisposing factors. The patient was treated with surgical debridement followed by intravenous amphotericin B and itraconazole to which she responded well. We report this case, being rare and the first from India.

Thoracic empyema due to Candida albicans

Few cases of empyema thoracis due to Candida species have been reported from the world and India. A 46-year-old male with esophageal carcinoma, who had taken radiotherapy, presented with fever and dyspnea. The chest X-ray showed findings suggestive of empyema. The diagnosis was confirmed by culturing Candida albicans from aspirated fluid and blood culture. The patient responded to antifungal treatment. High index of suspicion is required to diagnose such rare cases.