Three Cases of Systemic Candidiasis with Skin Manifestations in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies.
- Author:
Sun Young LEE
1
;
Sung Eun CHANG
;
Jee Ho CHOI
;
Kyung Jeh SUNG
;
Kee Chan MOON
;
Jai Kyoung KOH
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Systemic candidiasis;
Skin;
Hematologic malignancies
- MeSH:
Antifungal Agents;
Biopsy;
Candida;
Candidiasis*;
Dermis;
Diagnosis;
Hematologic Neoplasms*;
Humans;
Korea;
Sepsis;
Skin Manifestations*;
Skin*;
Spores
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2001;39(4):499-503
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Systemic or disseminated candidiasis is a not uncommon serious complication among patients with impaired host-defense mechanisms, particularly among those with hematologic malignancies. Although widespread organ involvement is characteristic of disseminated candidiasis, there is only a few reports of skin manifestation in Korea. The diagnosis is often difficult to establish, since Candida organisms can be cultured from blood specimens in only 25% of the patients. Unless treated, the disease is rapidly fatal. If there is any evidence of respiratory distress or signs of sepsis in hematologic malignancy patients the possibility of systemic candidiasis and the need for parenteral antifungal therapy must be considered by early pathologic diagnosis of heralding skin lesions. We describe three hematologic malignancy patients with systemic candidiasis with disseminated maculopapules and vesicular eruption and respiratory distress. Skin biopsies showed multiple spores and pseudohyphae in the dermis and subcutis. These patients did not respond to intravenous antifungal agents and had fatal course.
