Candida albicans pneumonia: radiographic appearance

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Diagnostic Radiology

Background:

• Candida albicans can cause opportunistic pulmonary infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
• Characteristic radiographic patterns for pure Candida albicans pulmonary infection are not well-defined.
• Distinguishing Candida infections from other opportunistic fungal infections can be challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify characteristic radiographic patterns in patients with pure Candida albicans pulmonary opportunistic infection.
• To assess the utility of radiographic findings in differentiating Candida from other fungal lung infections.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of autopsy-confirmed cases of pure Candida albicans pulmonary infection.
• Review of radiographic findings in 20 patients.
• Correlation of radiographic patterns with autopsy findings.

Main Results:

• Eight of 20 patients exhibited nonlobar, nonsegmental, bilateral disease.
• Other patients showed lobar or segmental patterns (unilateral or bilateral).
• Absence of cavitation, adenopathy, masslike opacities, or miliary patterns was noted.

Conclusions:

• "Negative" radiographic findings (lack of specific patterns) can help distinguish Candida pulmonary infections from other fungal infections.
• Histologic evidence of lung invasion is essential for definitive diagnosis.
• The association of Candida infection with underlying leukemia and lymphoma was confirmed.