title: Intestinal candidiasis: an uncommon cause of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates.
abstract: Candida albicans produces intestinal perforation and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm newborns. We reviewed pathology files in neonates with a diagnosis of NEC (10-year period), gathered history, and reviewed histological materials. Of 249 autopsies, two (0.8%) had systemic candidiasis. From 66 surgical cases with a diagnosis of NEC, five cases (7.5%) had intestinal candidiasis. Candida albicans grew in pre- and post-mortem blood, lung, or peritoneal fluid in all cases. Histologically, the small bowel revealed fungi, sometimes intravascular. Systemic candidiasis with intestinal involvement is an important complication of prematurity and a prevalent cause of sepsis. The presence of intraluminal fungi with associated vascular occlusion may lead to bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Division of Pediatric Pathology, University of Miami - Holtz Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Parra-Herran
authors.forename: Liset
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pelaez
authors.forename: Juan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sola
authors.forename: Arnel K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Urbiztondo
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate