Fournier's gangrene due toCandida glabrata

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene is a rare and serious event. Usual pathogens are bacteria of the skin and the digestive tract. Candida species are exceptionally involved, mostly Candida albicans. We report a patient with non-C. albicans Candida sp. Fournier's gangrene who survived with an appropriate antifungal therapy. Yeasts should be considered as emerging pathogens in pelvic infections due to the increase in long-term immunocompromised patients.

Fournier Gangrene Caused by Candida albicans in an Infant After Cardiac Surgery

“…However, single-case reports describing FG caused by fungi are reported. C. albicans , Candida glabrata and Rhisopus microsporus etiology are described in adults [5, 10, 11]. Our case report is unique because to the best of our knowledge there is no report of solitary C. albicans FG in children.…”

“…The disease mostly affects patients between 50 and 60 years of age, and in children FG is not common. However, FG is a fulminant and life-threatening disease, because although proper treatment mortality in these groups of patients remains high, mortality rates of 7.5–88% are reported [2, 5–8]. A literature review found only <60 pediatric cases of FG worldwide, with 66% of those in infants younger than 3 months [9].…”

“…Commonly, the etiology of FG is polymicrobial and the infection is most often caused by three or more microorganisms: E. coli , Proteus , Staphylococcus , Enterococcus and anaerobes [3–5]. However, single-case reports describing FG caused by fungi are reported.…”

“…The disease mostly affects patients between 50 and 60 years of age and is uncommon in children. The typical flora involves polymicrobial bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli , Proteus , Staphylococcus , Enterococcus and anaerobes; however, single cases of fungal etiology in adults were reported [2–5]. The risk factors of FG developing include diabetes, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, local trauma, urethral stricture and genitourinary infections [3].…”

“…The risk factors of FG developing include diabetes, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, local trauma, urethral stricture and genitourinary infections [3]. It is essential to diagnose FG as early as possible, because the infection can rapidly spread from local necrosis to adjacent organs, leading to sepsis and death; mortality rates of 7.5–88% are reported [5–7]. We report a case of a male infant, who developed fungal FG after cardiac surgery.…”