Fatal diffuse invasive gastrointestinal candidiasis masking as ileus after bone marrow transplantation.
High-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy has increased the incidence of candidal infections that make neutropenic patients very sick and may kill them. We report fatal invasive candidiasis involving the entire alimentary tract after autologous bone marrow transplantation in a young woman with breast cancer. Illustrated are the significance of fungal infections in this patient population, the potential for Candida albicans to invade the entire gastrointestinal tract, and the potential role of endoscopy in the early diagnosis of these often catastrophic infections. We also suggest that diffuse, invasive candidiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ileus in the immunocompromised patient.
DiBaise
J K
JK
Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-2000, USA.
Quigley
E M
EM
D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000473:pathology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004064:Digestive System / Q000473:pathology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000473:pathology*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed