Candida fasciitis following renal transplantation

Background. We describe a rare case of necrotizing fasciitis involving Cand ida albicans, an organism that has been reported to have a minimal potentia l for invasive soft tissue infection. In this case, Immunosuppression, chro nic renal failure, and a history of diabetes mellitus were predisposing fac tors. Methods. The medical record and histopathologic material were examined. The clinical literature was reviewed for previous cases of C albicans necrotiz ing fasciitis. Results. A review of the literature showed that in solid organ transplant r ecipients, localized fungal soft tissue infection is infrequent, with only 35 cases reported between 1974 and 1992. Necrotizing fasciitis caused by C albicans is extremely rare in the modern era of solid organ transplantation . Conclusions. The management of transplant patients at risk for invasive fun gal infection warrants a high index of suspicion for fungal necrotizing fas ciitis in the setting of wound infection and merits a, thorough investigati on for atypical pathogens.