Work

Candida parapsilosis Endocarditis of the Native Tricuspid Valve in a Patient Without Common Risk Factors

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fungal endocarditis is a rare form of infective endocarditis associated with a high risk of mortality. Candida parapsilosis is the most common nonalbicans species, with cases arising in the setting of intravenous drug use, prosthesis, prolonged hospitalization, or immunocompromised states. CASE SUMMARY: We report a 33-year-old man with a history of sickle cell disease and chronic nonhealing lower extremity wounds with persistent candidemia and Candida endocarditis of the tricuspid valve. The clinical course was complicated by septic pulmonary embolism, which was treated with suction thrombectomy. DISCUSSION: This case documents the clinical course and adverse events of tricuspid valve Candida parapsilosis endocarditis in a patient with no previously identified risk factors or history significant for this location and subtype. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: In patients with Candida endocarditis who are unresponsive to monotherapy, dual antifungal therapy should be considered. Because of the potential for significant sequelae from embolization, early surgical management should be considered if medical management is ineffective.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.105079

Authors: Genichiro Fujioka, Jacob A. Powell, Kamran Vora, Zoya Mohammad, Adrián Jerónimo, Michael Tang