[Candida albicans myocarditis or endocarditis? Echocardiographic aspects]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Cardiac infections, particularly fungal endocarditis, pose diagnostic challenges.
• Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe systemic infections.

Observation:

• A patient presented with atypical features suggestive of cardiac infection.
• Unusual infectious destructive lesions were noted.
• Initial clinical suspicion pointed towards aortic endocarditis.

Findings:

• Echocardiographic examination revealed septal micro-abscesses near the aortic orifice.
• The aortic valve itself showed no infectious lesions, contradicting the initial hypothesis.
• The findings suggest a complex presentation of Candida albicans cardiac involvement.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering atypical presentations of fungal endocarditis.
• Advanced imaging modalities like echocardiography are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Understanding rare manifestations of Candida infections can improve patient outcomes.