title: Tracheal obstruction associated with a fungus ball. A case of primary tracheal candidiasis.
abstract: An elderly patient developed acute respiratory failure secondary to airway obstruction by a Candida fungus ball which probably developed secondary to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics when the patient had a decreased gag reflex while in a semicomatose state. The frequency of pulmonary fungus balls and their precipitating causes are briefly discussed. This potentially frequent, previously unreported complication should be recognized as a contributing factor in the development of acute respiratory failure requiring management by bronchoscopic techniques, as opposed to intubation.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins