Fatal necrotizing Candida esophagitis in a patient with leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis

• Published in: Autopsy & case reports Vol. 9; no. 2; p. e2018070
• Main Authors: Piubelli, Mario Luiz Marques, Felipe-Silva, Aloisio, Kanegae, Marcia Yoshie, Ferraz de Campos, Fernando Peixoto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil São Paulo, SP: Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital Universitário 01-04-2019; University of São Paulo
• Subjects: Autopsy Case Report; Candidiasis, Invasive; Esophagitis; Mycoses; Necrosis; Esophagitis; Mycoses; Candidiasis, Invasive; Necrosis
• ISSN: 2236-1960; 2236-1960
• DOI: 10.4322/acr.2018.070

Esophageal infection by
spp. is a common opportunistic entity in immunocompromised hosts; however, systemic fungal dissemination due to perforation or transmural necrosis, also known as necrotizing
esophagitis (NCE), is rare. We report the case of a 61-year-old male patient with diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis, severe arteriosclerosis, and vasculitis under immunosuppressive therapy who presented NCE with fungal and bacterial septicemia diagnosed at autopsy. Necrotizing esophagitis is a rare manifestation of
infection, which may be a final complication in severely ill patients. Unfortunately, it may be underdiagnosed, and we call attention to this devastating complication in patients with leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis.