Candida parapsilosis Lumbar Spondylodiscitis as a Cause of... : Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice (2024)

Case Reports

Khoo, Teresa MD*; Psevdos, George MD*†; Wu, Judy MD

Author Information

From the *Department of Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook; Departments of

Infectious Diseases, and

Radiology, Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, NY.

Correspondence to: Teresa Khoo, MD, Department Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY 11753. E-mail: [emailprotected].

The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose.

Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice 26(6):p e58-e60, November 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/IPC.0000000000000615

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Vertebral bone infections caused by Candida species are uncommon, but their reported frequency is increasing. Candida parapsilosis, a commensal of human skin, is currently an emerging human pathogen, with increasing prevalence and medical significance. We report the case of a Caucasian man who presented with C. parapsilosis spondylodiscitis, who was having a persistent low back pain for 3 months before diagnosis. He had no history of immunosuppression, fever, or elevation of inflammatory markers. The diagnosis was made by fine needle aspiration and culture. A combined medical and surgical intervention was necessary to achieve the best outcome in our case.

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Candida parapsilosis Lumbar Spondylodiscitis as a Cause of... : Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice (2024)

FAQs

How did I get Candida Parapsilosis? ›

C. parapsilosis infections are especially associated with hyperalimentation solutions, prosthetic devices, and indwelling catheters, as well as the nosocomial spread of disease through the hands of health care workers.

What is Candida spondylodiscitis? ›

Conclusion: Most patients affected by Candida spondylodiscitis were males in their sixties, with one in four being immunocompromised. While one in five patients died within two years of diagnosis, younger age and prolonged antifungal treatment might play a protective role.

What kills Candida Parapsilosis? ›

strongly recommended Fluconazole, 400 mg (6 mg/kg) daily, for 6–12 months or an echinocandin (caspofungin 50–70 mg daily, micafungin 100 mg daily, or anidulafungin 100 mg daily) for at least 2 weeks followed by fluconazole, 400 mg (6 mg/kg) daily, for 6–12 months in Candida osteomyelitis.

How do you get a yeast infection in your spine? ›

They can occur as a result of bacteria or fungi entering the spine through various means such as a blood infection, direct injury or trauma to the spine, infection after a previous surgery or even from nearby infected tissues.

What disease does Candida parapsilosis cause? ›

This type of infection is called invasive candidiasis. It can affect the heart, brain, and bones. A condition called candidemia results if the fungus gets into the blood. Candidemia can cause serious illness, long hospital stays, and death.

How do you get Parapsilosis? ›

parapsilosis infections have been caused by contamination of hyperalimentation solutions, intravascular pressure monitoring devices, and ophthalmic irrigating solution. Experimental studies have generally shown that C. parapsilosis is less virulent than Candida albicans or Candida tropicalis.

How serious is spondylodiscitis? ›

Spondylodiscitis is osteomyelitis of the spine and can cause severe symptoms. Hospital mortality is in the region of 2% to 17%.

What is the most common cause of spondylodiscitis? ›

Intravenous drug abuse is the most common cause in younger patients. The most isolated agent responsible for pyogenic spondylodiscitis is Staphylococcus aureus (32–67%), followed by Streptococcus species (Mylona et al., 2008).

What is the best treatment for spondylodiscitis? ›

Treatment consists of an extended antibiotic course, with good outcomes but misdiagnosis or a delay in treatment may result in significant morbidity/mortality. Terminology: Discitis is discouraged as a term as isolated infection of the spinal disc rarely occurs.

Does Candida parapsilosis need treatment? ›

Antifungal drugs including polyenes, triazoles, and echinocandins have already become effective treatment options for C. parapsilosis infections, even though all have some advantages and certain limitations in terms of efficacy, safety, bioavailability, and drug–drug interactions [11, 12].

What kills Candida immediately? ›

If you have a candida diagnosis, you'll want to get rid of this fungal infection as quickly as possible so you can start feeling better. The strongest candida killers are generally recognized to be antifungal drugs, such as fluconazole (brand name Diflucan), nystatin, and clotrimazole.

How long is the treatment for Candida parapsilosis? ›

Duration of therapy is usually six to 12 months; surgical debridement may be necessary. Duration of therapy is usually at least six weeks, but few data are available; surgical debridement is recommended; removal of infected prosthetic joints is usually recommended.

How serious is an infection in the spine? ›

Left untreated, an infection in the spine can cause paralysis or even death. A spine infection can occur in either the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves enclosed in the spinal canal, or in the vertebrae, the small bones that make up your spinal column (backbone).

What is the survival rate for a spinal infection? ›

Epidural abscess/empyema. Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) also is a life-threatening infection. Mortality rates are estimated at 5–16% worldwide, and less than 50% of surviving patients show full recovery.

How do you treat a fungal infection in the spine? ›

Spinal infections often require long-term intravenous antibiotic or antifungal therapy and can equate to extended hospitalization time for the patient. Immobilization may be recommended when there is significant pain or the potential for spine instability.

Where do you find Candida parapsilosis? ›

Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis) is a type of fungus that lives on your skin and in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It's also found in the environment around us (like in soil).

What usually causes candidiasis to develop? ›

Causes may include taking certain drugs (especially antibiotics, corticosteroids, and some birth control pills), pregnancy, being overweight, having a bacterial infection, or several different health conditions (for example, a weakened immune system, diabetes, and psoriasis).

Is Candida parapsilosis invasive? ›

Candida parapsilosis is a predominant species within NACs that is responsible for invasive candidosis in low-birth-weight neonates, transplant recipients, critical care patients, and those receiving parenteral nutrition. The high prevalence of C.

What is the root cause of candidiasis? ›

The fungus that most often causes cutaneous candidiasis is Candida albicans. Candida is the most common cause of diaper rash in infants. The fungi take advantage of the warm, moist conditions inside the diaper. Candida infection is also particularly common in people with diabetes and in those who are obese.

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