Brînduşa Ţilea 1, Carmen Chiriac 1, I. Ţilea 2, H. Suciu 3, Anca Georgescu 1, Cristina Gârbovan 1
1 Clinica Boli Infecţioase I, UMF Târgu Mureş, România
2 Clinica Medicală III – Compartiment Cardiologie, UMF Târgu Mureş, România
3 Clinica Chirurgie Cardiovasculară, UMF Târgu Mureş, IBCvT Târgu Mureş, România
Abstract
Candidal endocarditis is an inflammatory and proliferative disease of the endocardium that mainly affects valvular structures. Fungal aetiology is uncommon and appears less frequently when vegetation appears on native valves. We present a case of native mitral valve fungal endocarditis in a patient with no apparent risk factors with a history of infectious syndrome. Laboratory findings revealed blood cultures positive for Candida albicans and transthoracic echocardiography revealed an oscillating mass over posterior mitral leaflet. During adequate antifungal therapy, case evolution was slowly favourable; when haemodynamic status was stable the patient underwent mitral valve replacement. Pathologic exam confirmed diagnosis. Fungal endocarditis is a serious disease associated with a high mortality and whenever the diagnosis is suspected, antifungal therapy must be started and appropriate surgery (prosthetic valve replacement) should be considered.