Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
08:01

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology

Published on: March 22, 2012

[Hepatosplenic candidiasis in acute leukaemia patients]

Zoran Rajić, Natasa Colović, Mirjana Sretenović

    Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo
    |October 31, 2008
    PubMed
    Abstract

    Insights

    Hepatosplenic candidiasis, a severe fungal infection, can occur in acute leukemia patients after chemotherapy. Early diagnosis using clinical signs and imaging is crucial, though fungal cultures are often negative.

    Area of Science:

    • Medical Mycology
    • Hematology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Hepatosplenic candidiasis is a disseminated invasive fungal infection.
    • It commonly affects patients with acute leukemia, presenting as persistent fever post-chemotherapy and neutropenia.

    Observation:

    • Three acute leukemia patients (2 women, 1 man; aged 23-33) developed hepatosplenic candidiasis.
    • Diagnosis involved prolonged fever, elevated liver enzymes, and characteristic imaging findings (CT, MRI, ultrasound).
    • Blood cultures were positive in only one case.

    Findings:

    • Antifungal treatment was successful in only one of the three patients.
    • Two patients succumbed to leukemia progression, highlighting the severity of the underlying disease.
    • Fungal cultures are not always positive or required for diagnosis.

    Implications:

    • Consider hepatosplenic candidiasis in leukemia patients with unexplained prolonged fever post-chemotherapy.
    • Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and advanced imaging techniques.
    • Prolonged antifungal therapy (2-3 months or longer) may be necessary for successful treatment.

    More Related Videos

    An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

    An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

    Published on: July 1, 2020

    Related Concept Videos

    Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

    Cryptococcal Meningitis

    Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
    Leishmaniasis01:30

    Leishmaniasis

    Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...
    Candidiasis01:20

    Candidiasis

    Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
    Antiprotozoal Agents01:21

    Antiprotozoal Agents

    Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...