Persistent spontaneous fungal peritonitis secondary to Candida albicans in a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis and review of the literature

BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Nov 8:2016:bcr2016216979. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-216979.

Abstract

Candida albicans is a common human pathogen. Occasionally, it can cause peritonitis in immunocompromised and postsurgical patients. We report a case of a male patient who presented with abdominal pain and distention. He had a history of end-stage liver disease secondary to alcoholism. His peritoneal fluid culture revealed C albicans, and (1-3)-β-d glucan (BDG) level was elevated. His hospital course was complicated by sepsis and renal failure. He was treated with antifungals for spontaneous fungal peritonitis. Fungal peritonitis should be suspected in patients with chronic liver disease particularly with elevated BDG levels.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Candida albicans
  • Candidiasis / complications*
  • Candidiasis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peritonitis / microbiology*
  • Proteoglycans
  • beta-Glucans / blood

Substances

  • Proteoglycans
  • beta-Glucans
  • polysaccharide-K