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[Candida albicans spondylodiscitis]
J de la Torre Lima1, M E Jiménez-Mejías, J L de Francisco
1Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla.
Medicina Clinica
|March 27, 1993
Summary
Candida sp. infections, though rare, can cause osteomyelitis. This study presents two cases of candidal spondylodiscitis, highlighting successful treatment with antifungal medications like amphotericin B and fluconazole.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Infections caused by Candida species are increasingly common, leading to both localized and systemic disease.
- Candida species are infrequently recognized as causative agents of osteomyelitis, particularly spinal infections.
Observation:
- Two distinct cases of candidal spondylodiscitis are detailed.
- The first case involved a 33-year-old male intravenous drug user presenting with lumbar pain, later diagnosed with spondylodiscitis L2-L3 and spinal abscess caused by Candida albicans.
Findings:
- The second case presented a 35-year-old male with extensive burns who developed lumbar pain, vertebral destruction, and psoas abscess due to Candida albicans osteomyelitis.
- Both patients were successfully treated with antifungal therapy, with the second patient transitioning from amphotericin B to fluconazole due to renal function changes.
Implications:
- These cases underscore the importance of considering Candida species in the differential diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, especially in immunocompromised or high-risk individuals.
- Effective management involves prompt diagnosis through biopsy and culture, followed by appropriate antifungal treatment, demonstrating the efficacy of amphotericin B and fluconazole.