Candida tropicalis, an uncommon cause of pancreatic abscess: A case report

Candida is a ubiquitous fungus and can lead to various forms of infection like superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic-to-invasive infection. There are more than 20 species of Candida which can cause infection; of which, Candida albicans is the most common species. Candida can also cause deep-seated infection that can be due to hematogenous spread or through the direct introduction. Here, we report a rare case of pancreatic abscess in a 32-year-old male patient presenting with abdominal pain and fever. The pus aspirated from the abscess yielded the growth of Candida tropicalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The patient was started on fluconazole and imipenem along with surgical necrosectomy. The patient recovered with subsidence of fever and abdominal pain

Unusual Fungal Infections in Renal Transplant Recipients

Fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. The causative agent and the risk factors differ depending on the period after the kidney transplant. Also the incidence varies according to the geographical area. We are reporting three cases of fungal infections in renal transplant recipients. Two of them have etiological agents which are common among immunosuppressed patients, but with an atypical clinical presentation, while one of them is a subcutaneous infection caused by a less frequent dematiaceous fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans. These cases highlight how a high index of clinical suspicion and prompt diagnosis is very much essential for better outcome. The emerging fungal infections and paucity of data regarding their management pose a challenge to the transplant physicians

Alternate Special Stains for the Detection of Mycotic Organisms in Oral Cyto-Smears—A Histomorphometric Study

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections of the maxillofacial region have become prevalent, making their accurate diagnosis vital. Histopathological staining remains a simple, cost-effective technique for differentiation and diagnosis of the causative fungal organisms. The present study aims to evaluate the staining efficacy of Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian Blue, Safranin-O and Gomori’s Methenamine Silver (GMS) on fungal smears. This research work also attempts to study the morphometric characteristics of Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus oryzae. Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae, 10 smears each, were stained using PAS, Alcian Blue, Safranin-O and GMS. The morphological characteristics and staining efficacy were examined, and semi-quantitative scoring was performed. Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae were stained for the first time with Safranin-O. The morphometric traits were then analyzed using an image analysis software. Safranin-O provided the most reliable staining efficacy amongst the stains and optimum morphological definition for all three organisms. Safranin-O was found to be superior to PAS and GMS, ensuring detection of even the most minute mycotic colonies. The hyphae of Aspergillus flavus to be the largest, and the spores and fruiting body of Rhizopus oryzae were found to be the largest amongst the three organisms compared. Early and accurate diagnosis of fungal infections can significantly reduce morbidity in orofacial fungal infections