CANDIDA-FUNISITIS - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 32 CASES

We report on 32 cases of Candida funisitis and describe the associated clinicopathologic features. The Candida funisitis was characterized g rossly by small, circumscribed, yellow-white nodules on the umbilical cord surface and, microscopically, by subamnionic microabscesses in wh ich fungal organisms were demonstrable. Chorioamnionitis was present i n all cases. Twenty-four (75%) of the 32 infants were premature. There were 7 perinatal deaths, all in immature fetuses. Five (16%) of the 3 2 fetuses had congenital candidiasis. Five (16%) of the mothers had a history of intrauterine foreign body, including intrauterine contracep tive device in three and cervical cerclage in two. The diagnosis of Ca ndida funisitis should prompt a careful examination for fetal infectio n, even though it is associated with congenital candidiasis in only a minority of the cases.