Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2026

A Contemporary Warming/Restraining Device for Efficient Tail Vein Injections in a Murine Fungal Sepsis Model
06:02

A Contemporary Warming/Restraining Device for Efficient Tail Vein Injections in a Murine Fungal Sepsis Model

Published on: November 6, 2020

Purulent pericarditis complicating systemic infection with Candida tropicalis

P S Gronemeyer, A S Weissfeld, A C Sonnenwirth

    American Journal of Clinical Pathology
    |April 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    This case report details a fatal instance of purulent pericarditis caused by Candida tropicalis in a patient undergoing chemotherapy. The rare fungal infection led to severe cardiac inflammation and ultimately, the patient

    Area of Science:

    • Medical Mycology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Cardiology

    Background:

    • Chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease can increase susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
    • Systemic fungal infections, particularly candidiasis, pose a significant risk in immunocompromised patients.
    • Purulent pericarditis is a rare but severe cardiac condition.

    Observation:

    • A 77-year-old woman with Hodgkin's disease developed febrile episodes during chemotherapy.
    • Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading to expiration.
    • Postmortem examination revealed purulent pericarditis, endocarditis, and myocarditis caused by Candida tropicalis.

    Findings:

    • Candida tropicalis was identified as the causative agent of purulent pericarditis, endocarditis, and myocarditis.
    • This represents the first reported case of purulent pericarditis due to Candida tropicalis.
    • The autopsy findings confirmed a fulminant course of fungal pericarditis.

    Implications:

    • Highlights the potential for Candida tropicalis to cause severe, invasive cardiac infections in immunocompromised individuals.
    • Underscores the importance of considering fungal etiologies in febrile, septic patients, especially those with hematologic malignancies.
    • Emphasizes the critical and often rapid progression of fungal pericarditis, necessitating prompt diagnosis and management strategies.

    More Related Videos

    A Periprosthetic Joint Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse04:37

    A Periprosthetic Joint Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse

    Published on: February 2, 2024

    A Catheter-Related Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse03:24

    A Catheter-Related Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse

    Published on: March 22, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

    Endocarditis I: Introduction

    Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
    Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

    Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

    Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
    Pericarditis I: Introduction01:22

    Pericarditis I: Introduction

    Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...
    Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:19

    Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

    Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
    Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

    Cryptococcal Meningitis

    Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
    Candidiasis01:20

    Candidiasis

    Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...