Fungal infection associated with gastroduodenal ulceration: endoscopic and pathologic appearances

Abstract

Three patients with peptic ulcers diagnosed at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are reported. All were seriously ill (2 debilitated alcoholics) and died soon afterwards. Fungi were recognized in the antemortem specimen of one of the two ulcers biopsied at the time of endoscopy and in the postmortem specimens of all. In two, demise appears to have been precipitated by erosion of the wall of a major artery by fungal invasion. Culture of the ulcer based as well as throat swabs and stool examination for mycelial and yeast forms of fungus in susceptible patients may allow a more accurate diagnosis to be made and therapy to be instituted.