A Case of 'True' Fungus-Infected Aneurysm of Abdominal Aorta in an Immunocompetent Patient.
- Author:
Ho Young LEE
1
;
Tae Hyong KIM
;
Eun Ju CHOO
;
Min Hyok JEON
;
Eun Jeung LEE
;
Eun Jung JUNG
;
Seong Ran JEON
;
Eui Ju PARK
;
Wook YOUM
;
Won Ho JANG
;
Jeong Hwa HWANG
;
Dong Hun KIM
;
Dong Won KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Infected aneurysm; Fungus; Immunocompetent
- MeSH: Abdomen; Aneurysm; Aneurysm, Infected; Aorta, Abdominal; Candida; Fever; Fungi; Humans; Immunocompetence; Korea; Risk Factors; Saccharomycetales; Thrombosis
- From: Infection and Chemotherapy 2008;40(3):184-190
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: Infected aneurysms are uncommon, frequently fatal lesions. "True" fungus-infected aneurysms are even rarer. Fungal infections have high morbidity and mortality. However, diagnosis is frequently difficult, since the symptoms are non-specific and standard diagnostic procedures are often insensitive. We experienced a patient with persistent fever and negative blood cultures. The patient was immunocompetent and had no risk factors, and was diagnosed with a fungus-infected aneurysm based on computed tomography and vascular surgery. The vascular tissue revealed some narrow-based budding yeast within the thrombus, suggesting Candida infection. Seventeen cases of infected aneurysm of the abdomen were reported in Korea from 1988 to 2007, although none were "true" fungus-infected aneurysms, making this the first fungus-infected aneurysm of the abdomen in Korea. Prompt diagnostic procedures and aggressive treatment modalities are necessary for patients with occult infection and negative blood cultures, regardless of their immunocompetence, because of the high morbidity and mortality of this condition.
