Candida arthritis. A case report and review of the literature

Candida albicans arthritis is uncommon. Although occasional instances of meningitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, and extensive visceral involvement due to Candida species have been reported, only 7 documented cases of arthritis caused by Candida albicans are found in the literature. The present case was an infant with a gastroschisis defect of the abdominal wall, who required multiple surgical procedures, prolonged antibiotic therapy, and parental intravenous hyperalimentation. Following a blood stream infection with Candida albicans, septic arthritis of the left knee developed. Treatment with intravenous Amphotericin-B over a 6-week period was successful in eridicating the infection. The child is completely well 9 months after discharge from the hospital. Factors which may predispose patients to infection by Candida albicans include prolonged antibiotic therapy. corticosteroids, generalized debilitation, malnutrition, parental hyperalimentation, and immunosuppressive therapy. Amphotericin-B therapy may be associated with considerable toxicity including azotemia, hepatic dysfunction, and hematologic abnormalities. The therapeutic regimen of Amphotericin-B is effective but a 6-week course of antifungal therapy may be necessary to eradicate septic arthritis of Candida albicans. Surgical drainage is probably indicated only for recent infections.