Recurrent candidaemia and pacemaker wire infection with Candida albicans

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Recurrent candidaemia is a serious complication associated with invasive fungal infections.
• Infections involving indwelling medical devices, like pacemaker wires, present significant clinical challenges.
• Candida species are common causes of bloodstream infections and device-related infections.

Observation:

• A patient presented with recurrent candidaemia due to a Candida infection of a pacemaker wire.
• Complete removal of the infected pacemaker wire was not feasible in this case.
• The patient received treatment with an echinocandin, specifically anidulafungin.

Findings:

• Anidulafungin treatment was successfully administered to the patient with the infected pacemaker wire.
• The treatment resulted in a positive clinical outcome, resolving the Candida infection.
• This case highlights the potential efficacy of echinocandins in managing difficult-to-treat Candida device infections.

Implications:

• Echinocandins, like anidulafungin, represent a viable therapeutic option for Candida pacemaker wire infections when device removal is not an option.
• This finding expands treatment strategies for invasive candidiasis involving foreign bodies.
• Further research into antifungal therapy for device-associated candidiasis is warranted.