Endocarditis Caused by Candida parapsilosis Presenting With Severe Thrombocytopenia in a Patient With Tetralogy of Fallot

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2022 Mar;13(2):245-247. doi: 10.1177/21501351211008839. Epub 2021 Jul 26.

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) occurs more frequently in individuals living with congenital heart disease, often with high morbidity and mortality. Although gram-positive bacterial infections commonly cause IE, prosthetic valves are a known risk factor for fungal IE. We report a case of prosthetic pulmonary valve Candida parapsilosis IE in a 58-year-old male with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. He presented with fatigue, petechiae, and hematochezia. He had severe thrombocytopenia from idiopathic/immune thrombocytopenia purpura, which resolved with steroids and immunoglobulin. Treatment with antifungals as well as a surgical pulmonary valve replacement resulted in recovery without relapse at greater than a year.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Candida parapsilosis
  • Endocarditis* / complications
  • Endocarditis* / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis* / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial* / etiology
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis* / adverse effects
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tetralogy of Fallot* / complications
  • Tetralogy of Fallot* / surgery
  • Thrombocytopenia* / complications