Case study highlighting the rapid identification of Candida infection while cultures remained negative
Gulf Coast Medical Center, Lee Health | Fort Meyers, FL
Presentation
A 75-year-old female presenting with abdominal pain and hypotension.
Patient History
Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 Diabetes mellites, ovarian cancer with metastases, placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, and total parental nutrition (TPN) dependent.
The patient was recently discharged after a prolonged hospital stay (3 weeks) and underwent several GI surgeries, most recently a bowel resection for duodenal perforation as a result of tumor erosion.
Surgical oncology, Gastroenterology, and Infectious Diseases services were all consulted to manage the case.
Evaluation and Treatment Decision
- Urinalysis was positive for many yeast on the admission workup
- Blood and urine cultures and T2Candida were ordered by ID consultant
- T2Candida was positive for Candida glabrata/krusei, while blood and urine cultures remained negative
- The patient was initiated on Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Micafungin
The identification of Candida glabrata/krusei with the T2Candida Panel prevented the inappropriate de-escalation of antifungal therapy in a high-risk patient.
Learn More
1. Chandler, E. Real World Experience with T2Candida at a Community Health System (Webinar). 2024