Successful treatment of recurrent hepatic Candida infection with fluconazole after chemotherapy for acute leukemia: a case report

Summary Hepatic candidiasis represents an increasingly difficult problem in immunocompromised patients. It has been recognized as a variant of disseminated candidiasis after a period of neutropenia. Establishment of diagnosis is difficult since liver biopsy as well as culture may be negative, in spite of the presence of fungus. Hepatic lesions are generally not detectable by ultrasound examination or computed tomography until the neutrophil count has returned to normal. The aim of this case report is to describe the problems related to the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic candidiasis following chemotherapy for acute leukemia. The report also provides further evidence that fluconazole, a new broad-spectrum antifungal drug, can be safely and effectively used for the long-term treatment of deep-seated hepatic candidiasis.