Lung abscess due to pulmonary candidiasis

• Main Authors: Gupta Prem, Agarwal Dipti, Yadav R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2006-01-01
• Series: Lung India
• Subjects: Pulmonary candidiasis; lung abscess; inhaled budesonide; CT guided percutaneous needle aspiration; fluconazole
• Online Access: http://www.lungindia.com/article.asp?issn=0970-2113;year=2006;volume=23;issue=4;spage=160;epage=162;aulast=Gupta
• ISSN: 0970-2113; 0974-598X

Here we describe a patient who developed lung abscess caused by Candida albicans. There was no evidence of disseminated/ extrapulmonary candidiasis or any immunodeficiency. However, he was taking high doses of inhaled corticosteroid for chronic airflow obstruction. CT guided percutaneous needle aspiration provided the specimen which confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary candidiasis. His sputum culture was also positive for Candida albicans. The patient achieved favourable out-come with a 4 weeks treatment with fluconazole. The case is presented here due to unique possible association of pulmonary candidiasis with intake of high doses of inhaled corticosteroids.