Disseminated Invasive Candidiasis in an Immunocompetent Host

Abstract

Health care providers should consider a nonbacterial source as the causative agent for invasive candidiasis infection in immunocompetent patients.

FIGURE 1

C albicans Colorization in Organs Due to Invasive Infection Abbreviations: C albicans, Candida albicans; H&E, hematoxylin and eosin; GMS, Grocott-Gömöri methenamine silver. Representative section of upper lobe of left lung H&E stain. (A) Acute bronchopneumonia with C albicans yeast and filaments surrounded with inflammatory reaction. (B) A corresponding GMS stain shows yeast and hyphae radiation in right lung tissues. (C) Huge inflammation in kidney matrix shows in a representative H&E stain section of right kidney. (D) GMS stain shows yeast predominant invasively multiplied C albicans inside a glomerulus. (E & F) Representative H&E and GMS section showing C albicans colonization in endocardium.

FIGURE 2

Candida albicans Colonization in the Lung (A) Histopathology of a dust cell with entrapped Candida albicans yeast (arrow); and (B) A lymphatic channel on alveolar septum with multiple yeast cells confirming dissemination of the organism systemically (arrows).

FIGURE 3

Candida albicans Colonization in Brain, Thyroid, and Adrenal Gland (A) Representative Grocott-Gömöri methenamine silver stain sections of brain; (B) thyroid; and (C) adrenal gland to show Candida albicans dissemination and colonization in other important organs.