Wound infection due to Absidia corymbifera and Candida albicans with fatal outcome

Abstract

A case of a mixed infection due to Candida albicans and the zygomycete Absidia corymbifera in a 38-year-old, previously healthy, Caucasian male is presented. The infection developed following serial rib fractures, and ruptures of kidney, liver and biliary tract as well as a pancreatic contusion resulting from a traffic accident. During intensive care treatment the patient underwent several surgical procedures but subsequently experienced multi-organ failure and sepsis. Some weeks later, fungal growth was observed macroscopically on the patient's skin and wounds. From wound swabs C albicans and A. corymbifera were grown. Histopathology of abdominal tissue yielded pseudohyphae and coenocytic hyphae. Although surgical debridement and antifungal treatment with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine were started immediately, the patient died in therapy-refractory septic multi-organ failure.