Candidial Endocarditis: A Single-Institute Pathological Analysis

Abstract

Infective endocarditis is increasingly perceived as a byproduct of aggressive medications and/or invasive medical procedures. Some of the organisms are fungi, and in this situation, Candida species account for nearly half of all fungal IE. We report a single-institute pathological experience of 14 cases of candidial endocarditis among surgically excised cardiac tissues and autopsied cases in a 14-year period. Twelve of the 14 cases were seen as healthcare-associated invasive infections, and only five had been diagnosed antemortem. Candidial endocarditis was predominantly right-sided and valvular. The risk factors included underlying heart diseases, central venous catheterization and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Mortality among the autopsied patients was related to septicemia and/or embolic complications.