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Case report: spontaneous peritonitis caused by Candida albicans
1Department of Gastroenterology and Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|October 26, 1999
Summary
This case study details a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who developed spontaneous peritonitis due to Candida albicans. The successful treatment with amphotericin B highlights a rare fungal infection in liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Alcoholic liver cirrhosis is a significant health concern associated with various complications.
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
- Fungal SBP is rare, with Candida species being infrequent but serious pathogens.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old male patient with decompensated alcoholic liver cirrhosis presented with spontaneous peritonitis.
- The peritonitis was caused by Candida albicans, a yeast pathogen.
- This occurred after the patient's recovery from an acute pancreatitis episode.
Findings:
- The patient received successful treatment for Candida albicans peritonitis using amphotericin B.
- Literature review identified this as the fourth reported case of spontaneous peritonitis caused by Candida albicans.
- This case underscores the potential for rare fungal pathogens in immunocompromised cirrhotic patients.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering fungal etiologies in SBP, especially in specific patient populations.
- Amphotericin B demonstrates efficacy in treating rare Candida peritonitis.
- Contributes to the limited understanding of Candida albicans as a cause of spontaneous peritonitis in liver disease.