Systemic candidiasis: diagnosis from cutaneous manifestations

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Dermatology
• Hematology

Background:

• Systemic candidiasis is a serious fungal infection often seen in immunocompromised patients.
• Leukemia and lymphoma are hematologic malignancies that increase susceptibility to invasive fungal infections.
• Cutaneous manifestations of systemic candidiasis are not always recognized clinically.

Observation:

• Three patients with leukemia or lymphoma presented with an erythematous maculopapular, sometimes purpuric, rash.
• In one case, Candida was identified within skin lesions postmortem.
• Skin biopsies in the other two patients confirmed systemic candidiasis.

Findings:

• An erythematous maculopapular rash can be a characteristic clinical sign of systemic candidiasis.
• Skin biopsy is an effective method for diagnosing systemic candidiasis.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider systemic candidiasis in immunocompromised patients presenting with this type of rash.
• Early diagnosis via skin biopsy can lead to timely treatment of systemic candidiasis.
• This finding highlights the importance of dermatologic examination in managing invasive fungal infections.