Is endoscopic diagnosis of Candida albicans esophagitis reliable? Correlations with pathology and mycology
Redah, D.; Konutse, A.Y.; Agbo, K.; Dogbey, E.H.; Napo-Koura, G.; Tchangai-Kao, S.T.; Prince-David, M.; Amedegnato, D.M.; Agbetra, A.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 25(2): 161-163
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 11319441 Document Number: 529531
Aim of the study: To assess the reliability of endoscopic diagnosis of Candida albicans oesophagitis. Patients and methods: A case-control prospective study was carried out from November 1997 to July 1998 at the Campus Teaching Hospital of Lome, Togo, in patients with oesophagitis macroscopically suggestive of C. albicans origin using upper digestive endoscopy. 15 subjects with normal endoscopy served as controls. Oesophageal biopsies for mycological and pathological examinations were performed, as well as HIV serology. Results: 26 of the 850 endoscopies performed in our unit revealed an oesophagitis suggestive of C. albicans origin. Mycology confirmed the presence of filamentous form of C. albicans in 23 patients, and pathology showed nonspecific lesions of oesophagitis, 20 with intramucous hyphae. HIV serology was positive in 19/23 patients (82.6%) and in 1/15 controls (6.6%). Sensitivity and specificity of upper GI endoscopy for the diagnosis of C. albicans were 100 and 83.3%, respectively; positive and negative predictive values were 88.5 and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: Upper digestive endoscopy is a reliable method for the diagnosis of C. albicans oesophagitis. However, mycological confirmation is warranted.