Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2003 Mar;26(3):154-157.

A Case of Large Duodenal Ulcer Associated with Candida Albicans

• Cho JY
• Jung HK
• Kim DY
• Moon IH
• Cho MS

Abstract

Candida can be a part of normal human flora, but can be harmful in immunocompromised patients. While oral or esophageal moniliasis can be found in healthy people or gravely ill patients, ulceration of the duodenum is far less common. Acid-reducing drugs such as H2 receptor blocker increase growth of microbes, including fungus, and candidal invasion is regarded as rare one of the factors that are associated with failure to respond to H2 receptor blocker therapy. Recently, we experienced a case of atypical duodenal ulcer which was found in a patient with iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome and diabetes mellitus and failed to respond to H2 receptor blocker therapy. Fungal spores and hyphae were histologically identified from the biopsy specimens that were obtained from the margin of the duodenal ulcer, and this fungus was confirmed as Candida albicans by blood culture. It should be considered that in immunocompromised patients, gastroduodenal ulcers can be caused by fungal infection.

Keyword

Candida albicans; Duodenal ulcer

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Candida albicans*
Candida*
Candidiasis
Cushing Syndrome
Diabetes Mellitus
Duodenal Ulcer*
Duodenum
Fungi
Humans
Hyphae
Immunocompromised Host
Peptic Ulcer
Spores, Fungal
Ulcer