[Clinical problems in medical mycology: Problem number 48]

Rev Iberoam Micol. 2015 Oct-Dec;32(4):281-3. doi: 10.1016/j.riam.2015.06.001. Epub 2015 Jul 15.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

We present the case of a 42-year-old man, HIV-positive, with low CD4(+) T cell count (31 cells/μl), who was admitted to Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz in Buenos Aires (Argentina) due to a severe lower back pain. He had a history of several highly active antiretroviral therapy treatments and he also had diabetes and chronic B and C viral hepatitis. A spinal cord CT scan showed two lytic bone lesions in L2 and L3. A bone biopsy was carried out and its microbiological study allowed the isolation of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Intravenous vancomycin was prescribed, together with a corset and physical rest. A few days later the patient presented with acute dermatitis with papules, vesicles, scales and erythema, which spread over the whole lumbar region. The mycological study of the scales led to the isolation in culture of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. With the diagnosis of decubitus candidiasis he was initially treated with a topical ointment containing 3% salicylic acid and 6% benzoic acid, but only slow, partial improvement was observed. The treatment was changed to oral fluconazole at a daily dose of 200mg. With the latter the patient showed a rapid, complete clinical response.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Braces / adverse effects
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Candidiasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis, Cutaneous / etiology*
  • Candidiasis, Cutaneous / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / microbiology
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Spondylitis / complications
  • Spondylitis / microbiology
  • Spondylitis / therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Superinfection
  • Supine Position
  • Vancomycin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Vancomycin
  • Fluconazole