Early surgical intervention and optimal medical treatment for Candida parapsilosis endocarditis

Intern Med. 2015;54(4):411-3. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.2989.

Abstract

We herein report the case of a 72-year-old man with endocarditis of the aortic valve who underwent urgent aortic valve replacement 36 hours after admission due to an aggravation of aortic valve regurgitation. Postoperative cultures of the blood and site of valve vegetation identified Candida parapsilosis as a pathogen. Antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and fluconazole was initiated after surgical treatment. Thereafter, the patient displayed a favorable clinical course. Candida parapsilosis endocarditis involving the native valves is extremely rare and associated with a very high mortality rate. Prompt surgical treatment and the aggressive use of antifungal agents are required to save the patient's life.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aortic Valve / microbiology
  • Aortic Valve / surgery
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Candidiasis / therapy*
  • Endocarditis / microbiology*
  • Endocarditis / therapy*
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Heart Valve Diseases / microbiology*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / therapy*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B
  • Fluconazole