Duodenal candidiasis: a rare cause of giant duodenal perforation in immunocompetent patient

Abstract

Candida is a commensal found even in the gut of healthy individuals and varying rate of incidence have been reported in autopsy studies. Pathological role of Candida is rarely seen in stomach and first part of duodenum as low pH and commensal bacteria inhibits its growth. Any imbalance in these factors or immunocompromised status can lead to fungal overgrowth. Most of the cases of duodenal perforation are seen as the complications of H. pylori infection, due to the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or traumatic/iatrogenic. Authors are reporting first case of a 35year old male who presented with duodenal perforation peritonitis with perforation edge biopsy revealing the presence of fungal hyphae. Fungal microorganisms as a cause of duodenal perforation per se, is very rare.