'Decubital candidosis': a study of 26 cases

Candidoses are infections caused by yeasts of the genus Candida. 'Decubital candidosis' is a particular form of cutaneous candidosis that occurs on the dorsal skin of chronically bedridden patients; there are very few studies about this presentation in the medical literature.

To study the clinical, mycological and histopathological features of 26 cases of 'decubital candidosis' along with factors that may predispose to it.

Twenty-six patients were included and their general characteristics and clinical lesions were carefully studied. The presence of candidosis in other organs and the occurrence of predisposing factors were searched by reviewing the medical records. Mycological studies were performed and cutaneous biopsies were taken.

Median age of patients was 46 years, 11 were male and 15 were female, 25 were caucasian, one was Asian and no one was Afro-Carribean. This finding suggests a greater resistance of Afro-Carribean skin to this form of candidosis. The median time of hospitalization until rash occurrence was 24.8 days. Clinical lesions consisted of erythema, erosions, pustules, papules and desquamation. The most significant predisposing factors for this eruption were prolonged bedrest and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Candidosis on other body sites was diagnosed in 10 cases and additional specific predisposing factors were observed in all 10. Potassium hydroxide examination was a reliable test for diagnosing this disease. Candida albicans was the agent in all 26 cases. Spongiform pustules were the most significant histopathological findings and yeasts were restricted to the horny layer in all biopsied cases.

'Decubital candidosis' is probably induced by prolonged bedrest and facilitated by long-term use of antibiotics. This cutaneous infection does not seem to predispose to systemic candidosis.