Skip to main content
Top

Pharmacological options for Candida albicans Endocarditis at the roadblock with irrecoverable prosthetics and drug interactions: a case report and review of literature

Published in:

Abstract

Background

Candidemia is the fourth most common nosocomial bloodstream infection. Endocarditis from candidemia is a rare but possibly fatal complication. The efficacy of amphotericin and echinocandins for induction and azoles for suppression has been well studied. Source control of infection, including removal of foreign bodies, remains the cornerstone for the success of any antifungal therapy.

Case Presentation

We are describing a case of a 63-years old patient with multiple comorbidities who developed candidemia secondary to Candida albicans. The prospect of curing the fungemia was made difficult by prosthetic devices, including prosthetic heart valves, intracardiac defibrillator, and inferior vena filter, which could not be extracted due to poor cardiovascular status and higher postoperative mortality risk. Combination therapy with amphotericin and 5-Flucytosine (5FC) was used with the first recurrence. Suppression with fluconazole was contraindicated due to prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval. Isavuconazole was employed for chronic lifelong suppression.

Conclusion

Retaining prosthetics in higher surgical risk patients presents us with unique clinical and pharmacological challenges regarding breakthrough infections, drug interaction, and side effects from prolonged suppressive therapies.
Title
Pharmacological options for Candida albicans Endocarditis at the roadblock with irrecoverable prosthetics and drug interactions: a case report and review of literature
Authors
Syeda Sahra
Aneeqa Javed
Abdullah Jahangir
Sharanjeet K. Thind
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08267-z
This content is only visible if you are logged in and have the appropriate permissions.
This content is only visible if you are logged in and have the appropriate permissions.

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on progress in colorectal cancer

  • Live
  • Webinar | 11-12-2025 | 18:00 (CET)

CRC remains a major global health burden, but advances in screening, treatment, and lifestyle-based prevention continue to reshape clinical practice. Gain insights into how the latest research can be leveraged to optimize patient care across the CRC continuum.

Watch it live: Thursday 11 December 2025, 18:00-19:30 (CET)

Prof. Antoni Castells
Prof. Edward Giovannucci
Prof. Harpreet Wasan
Join the webinar
Webinar

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on functional neurological disorder

FND perplexes and frustrates patients and physicians alike. Limited knowledge and insufficient awareness delays diagnosis and treatment, and many patients feel misunderstood and stigmatized. How can you recognize FND and what are the treatment options?

Prof. Mark Edwards
Watch now
Video
Image Credits
Colon cancer illustration/© (M) KATERYNA KON / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images, Human brain illustration/© (M) CHRISTOPH BURGSTEDT / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images