Candida arteritis occurring in a liver transplant recipient

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Transplant Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Liver transplant recipients are immunocompromised, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
• Invasive fungal infections, particularly candidiasis, pose significant risks in this patient population.

Observation:

• A liver transplant recipient presented with hemorrhagic shock and underwent emergency arterial repair.
• Fungal cultures from arterial tissue identified Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata.

Findings:

• The patient received a 5-month course of antifungal therapy for Candida arteritis.
• Despite treatment, the patient died due to chronic graft dysfunction.

Implications:

• This case underscores the critical need for vigilance regarding invasive fungal infections in liver transplant recipients.
• Candida arteritis can be a fatal complication, even with appropriate antifungal management.
• Further research is needed to improve outcomes for invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant patients.