Malignant tumor-like gastric lesion due to Candida albicans in a diabetic patient treated with cyclosporin: a case report and review of the literature

Clin Exp Med. 2012 Sep;12(3):201-5. doi: 10.1007/s10238-011-0158-1. Epub 2011 Sep 9.

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals is colonized by hundreds of saprophytes and mycetes, especially the Candida species, are habitual ones. Under certain conditions, the fungal flora may overgrow, resulting in lesions of the digestive mucosa which, rarely, can have a local diffusion and/or spread to the lympho-hematogenous system. Mycotic infections of the stomach can sometimes look like benign gastric ulcers. Here, we present the case report of a woman, aged 64, who presented with type II diabetes mellitus and psoriasis, on chronic treatment with cyclosporin A and with endoscopic evidence of an ulcerated, vegetating gastric lesion secondary to Candida albicans infection. Although strongly suggestive of malignancy, it completely healed after cyclosporin withdrawal and the administration of oral antifungal drugs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida albicans / isolation & purification
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity*
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Stomach Ulcer / microbiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole
  • Cyclosporine