[A case report of successful surgical treatment of fungal endocarditis]

A successfully treated case of fungal endocarditis for native aortic and mitral valves was reported. A 56-year-old male was admitted with high fever, dyspnea on exertion and oliguria. Infective endocarditis, urinary tract infection and acute renal failure were most suspected by findings of physical examination and urinalysis, but repeated blood cultures were sterile. In the course of treatment for urinary tract infection, high fever and leucocytosis recurred and then blood cultures were positive for Candida parapsilosis. Despite intensive antifungal therapy, blood cultures were consistently positive for Candida parapsilosis. Echocardiogram showed vegetation on the aortic and mitral valve. Aortic and mitral valve replacements with prosthetic heart valves were carried out on April, 1986. Cultures of the vegetation on the mitral valve revealed Candida parapsilosis. Intensive administration of antifungal drug was done postoperatively. Postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged in excellent condition on the 84th postoperative day. During follow-up period of 1 year, the patient has been doing very well and there were no sign of recurrence of fungal infections.