Late recurrent Candida endocarditis

Chest. 1991 Jun;99(6):1531-3. doi: 10.1378/chest.99.6.1531.

Abstract

Late recurrent Candida endocarditis (LRCE) developed on a prosthetic mitral valve 22 months after treatment for primary native mitral valve endocarditis. The LRCE was difficult to diagnose; results of two dimensional echocardiography and repeated blood cultures were negative. Only transesophageal echocardiography revealed a vegetation and only lysis centrifugation blood cultures demonstrated candidemia. Postmortem examination revealed a large Candida vegetation on the prosthetic valve and Candida in the mitral valve ring. This case and a review of the literature indicate that Candida endocarditis treated with amphotericin B and prosthetic valve replacement may recur months after treatment, and that LRCE, which is difficult to diagnose and treat, may be best prevented by lifelong antifungal suppressive therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Candidiasis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Candidiasis* / pathology
  • Candidiasis* / surgery
  • Endocarditis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis* / pathology
  • Endocarditis* / surgery
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve / pathology
  • Mitral Valve / surgery
  • Recurrence
  • Time Factors
  • Ultrasonography