Korean J Pediatr.  2011 Sep;54(9):385-388. 10.3345/kjp.2011.54.9.385.

Candida tropicalis arthritis of the elbow in a patient with Ewing's sarcoma that successfully responded to itraconazole

• Kim SY
• Lim JS
• Kim DH
• Lee HJ
• Cho JB
• Lee JA
• Kim DH

• KMID: 1447901
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2011.54.9.385

Abstract

Fungal infections are rarely responsible for arthritis. Few cases of fungal arthritis have been reported, even in immunocompromised hosts susceptible to low-virulence organisms. Herein, the authors report the first case of Candida tropicalis arthritis in a child with a solid tumor. A 13-year-old boy with Ewing's sarcoma developed arthritis in his elbow during the neutropenic period after chemotherapy. Despite treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, his condition did not improve and serial blood cultures failed to reveal any causative organisms. After surgical drainage, culture of the joint fluid revealed the presence of C. tropicalis. Itraconazole treatment was started and after 3 months of therapy, the patient completely recovered full elbow function.

Keyword

Candida tropicalis; Arthritis; Sarcoma; Itraconazole; Neutropenia; Child

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Arthritis
Candida
Candida tropicalis
Child
Drainage
Elbow
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Itraconazole
Joints
Neutropenia
Sarcoma
Sarcoma, Ewing
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Itraconazole