Author/Authors :
Shokohi، Tahereh نويسنده , , Nouraei، Seyed Mahmood نويسنده , , Afsarian، Mohammad Hosein نويسنده Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran , , Najafi ، Narges نويسنده Tropical Medicine and Microbial Resistance Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. , , Mehdipour، Shirin نويسنده Mazandaran Heart Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran ,
Abstract :
Introduction: Fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is rare but serious complication of valve replacement surgery. Candida species, particularly Candida albicans is the most common isolated pathogen in fungal PVE (1–6%of cases).
Case Presentation: We describe a 35-year-old woman who underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement about 3 years ago. She was admitted with neurological symptoms and later with dyspnea and hypotension. Transesophageal echocardiography showed large and mobile prosthetic valve vegetation. She underwent mitral valve surgery. The explanted valve and vegetation revealed lots of budding yeasts and the isolated yeast was identified as C. parapsilosis. Amphotericin B and broad spectrum antibiotic were started immediately. Unfortunately, the patient died two days after surgery, due to sepsis probably related to the candidemia.
Conclusions: Fungal endocarditis is uncommon infection, but it is a serious problem in patients with prosthetic valve. Fungal PVE can occur years after the surgery, thus long-term follow-up is essential.
