Fatal diffuse invasive gastrointestinal candidiasis masking as ileus after bone marrow transplantation
DiBaise, J.K.; Quigley, E.M.
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 24(3): 165-168
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0192-0790 PMID: 9179736 Document Number: 473697
A case is reported in a 39-year-old woman from Nebraska, USA, who developed fever, nausea, diarrhoea and tender, distended abdomen, following an autologous bone marrow transplantation in 1995. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated massive distension and oedema of the gastrointestinal tract. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed diffuse adherent plaque-like lesions involving the mid and distal oesophagus and adherent pseudomembranes throughout the duodenum. Candida albicans was identified in duodenal brushings and aspirate, venous blood cultures and bronchial washings. Despite aggressive therapy with amphotericin B, fluconazole and granulocyte colony stimulating factor the patient's condition deteriorated and she died.