Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Reduced Itraconazole Concentration and Durations Are Successful in Treating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection in Amphibians
Published on: March 14, 2014
Candida tropicalis endocarditis: Treatment in a resource-poor setting
Prashant Kumar1, Mamta N Muranjan, Milind S Tullu
1Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Insights
Fungal endocarditis (FE), rare in children, was diagnosed in a 5-year-old girl with Candida tropicalis. Treatment involved antifungal therapy and valve surgery, leading to recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Fungal endocarditis (FE) is a rare pediatric condition, typically affecting structurally abnormal hearts.
- Candida species are the most frequent cause of FE in children.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old female presented with fever, cardiac failure, anemia, leukocytosis, and elevated CRP.
- Bacterial cultures were negative, and she did not respond to antimicrobial therapy.
- Echocardiography showed a large mass on the right ventricle and tricuspid valve.
Findings:
- Blood cultures confirmed Candida tropicalis, establishing the diagnosis of FE.
- Treatment included liposomal amphotericin B and surgical excision of the vegetation and tricuspid valve.
- Histopathology and culture of resected tissue confirmed the fungal etiology.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in pediatric cardiac failure unresponsive to antibiotics.
- Successful management requires a combination of aggressive antifungal therapy and surgical intervention.
- Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric fungal endocarditis.
Abstract:
Fungal endocarditis (FE) is rare in children and does not usually occur in structurally normal hearts. The commonest causative agent is Candida albicans. We report a 5-year-old female child presenting with high-grade fever and cardiac failure. Anemia, leukocytosis and high CRP were found, but bacterial blood culture was sterile. There was no response to antimicrobial agents. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed a large heterogeneous mass attached to the right ventricle and tricuspid valve. Provisional diagnosis of FE was made, which was confirmed by growth of Candida tropicalis in blood culture. Liposomal amphotericin B was started, followed by radical curative surgery including excision of the entire vegetation with total tricuspid valve excision. Histopathology and culture of the resected vegetation confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was given antifungal therapy for a total of 7 weeks, including 2 weeks of post-operative treatment, following which she was afebrile.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Cryptococcal Meningitis
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Candidiasis