A Silent and Very Early Post-Liver Transplant Death by Candida Arteritis

Abstract

Background: Graft site candidiasis is a serious complication after solid organ transplantation, often presenting as invasive arteritis leading to graft loss or even death. Case Report: We report a case of anastomotic site candidiasis leading to arterial rupture and death at postoperative day 10 with no clinical warning signs. Preservation fluid cultures were negative and postoperative Doppler ultrasonography did not show vascular compromise. Postmortem examination revealed microscopic arterial wall abscesses harbouring hyphae and yeast consistent with Candida species. Conclusions: Our case demonstrates a particularly early and silent death post-liver transplant due to Candida arteritis and highlights the limitations of current preventive and screening measures. We discuss potential routes of contamination and control measures.