Candida albicans blastoconidia in peripheral blood smears from non-neutropenic surgical patients.

Abstract

An 80 year old woman developed fever 11 days after volvulus surgery. A peripheral blood smear showed numerous yeast cells-both extraleucocytic and intraleucocytic-as well as leucoagglutination. The fungal elements included blastospores, pseudohyphae, and germ tubes. Two days later, blood cultures yielded Candida albicans, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Staphlococcus aureus. The patient had no medical history of immunodeficiency. Several reports indicate that fungal elements may be detected in peripheral blood smears from patients who have a severe intestinal disease. (J Clin Pathol 1998;51:537-538)

Disseminated histoplasmosis in a renal transplantation recipient: Peripheral blood smear was the key

“…Peripheral blood smears can sometimes show yeasts within neutrophils in patients with fungal-like particles such as severe disseminated histoplasmosis and candidiasis [ 2 , 11 ]. In 1998, Berrouane Y et al, has described a case of an intracellular yeast-like in peripheral blood smear which finally identified to be Candida albicans [ 12 ]. Positive peripheral blood smear in our patient led to rapid diagnosis and management.…”

Fulminant Candidemia Diagnosed by Prompt Detection of Pseudohyphae in a Peripheral Blood Smear

“…Although pseudohyphae and true mycelia are typical of the parasitic adaptation of yeast, it matters whether they were obtained in vivo or in vitro. It was reported that in vitro phagocytosis of yeasts might occur by1-hour pre-incubation at 37°C [4]. However, the blood smear samples are prepared immediately after taking the patient's blood without incubation in our institute.…”

Intraleukocytic Candida is diagnostic of pathological candidemia

“…In addition, leukoagglutination in a smear has been described as the actual host response to fungal invasion. Observation of such should prompt the laboratory hematologist to look for the presence of hyphae and yeast forms of Candida [5]. Whereas intra-/extraleukocytic Candida— both budding yeast forms—and hyphal forms were seen in the presented case’s blood smear, leukoagglutination was not.…”

“…In the presented case C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis were noted. Various fungal infections have been diagnosed via direct detection of fungi in peripheral blood smears [5]. In addition, leukoagglutination in a smear has been described as the actual host response to fungal invasion.…”