Management of candidal thrombophlebitis of the central veins: case report and review

Caval replacement with parietal peritoneum tube graft for septic thrombophlebitis after hepatectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND

Caval vein thrombosis after hepatectomy is rare, although it increases mortality and morbidity. The evolution of this thrombosis into a septic thrombophlebitis responsible for persistent septicaemia after a hepatectomy has not been reported to date in the literature. We here report the management of a 54-year-old woman operated for a peripheral cholangiocarcinoma who developed a suppurated thrombophlebitis of the vena cava following a hepatectomy.

CASE SUMMARY

This patient was operated by left lobectomy extended to segment V with bile duct resection and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. After the surgery, she developed Streptococcus anginosus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecium bacteraemias, as well as Candida albicans fungemia. A computed tomography scan revealed a bilioma which was percutaneously drained. Despite adequate antibiotic therapy, the patient’s condition remained septic. A diagnosis of septic thrombophlebitis of the vena cava was made on post-operative day 25. The patient was then operated again for a surgical thrombectomy and complete caval reconstruction with a parietal peritoneum tube graft. Use of the peritoneum as a vascular graft is an inexpensive technique, it is readily and rapidly available, and it allows caval replacement in a septic area. Septic thrombophlebitis of the vena cava after hepatectomy has not been described previously and it warrants being added to the spectrum of potential complications of this procedure.

CONCLUSION

Septic thrombophlebitis of the vena cava was successfully treated with antibiotic and anticoagulation treatments, prompt surgical thrombectomy and caval reconstruction.

Endovascular Thrombectomy of Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Inferior Vena Cava: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We describe the cases of 2 patients who had septic thrombophlebitis and were successfully managed with endovascular thrombectomy. Patient A developed septic thrombophlebitis of the inferior vena cava after several retroperitoneal resections for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The thrombus was successfully removed via endovascular mechanical balloon thrombectomy. Patient B was a patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma involving the portal vein who developed a septic inferior vena cava thrombus extending from the level and beyond the renal veins, for which she underwent endovascular thrombectomy. We argue that this approach is safe and feasible. It should be considered as a supplemental treatment modality for select decompensating patients who require lifesaving interventions and have contraindications to traditional management of surgical thrombectomy or excision of the involved venous segment.

Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Candidiasis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America

It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. IDSA considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.

Candida Score as a Predictor of Worse Outcomes and Mortality in Severely Injured Trauma Patients with Positive Candida Cultures

Invasive candidiasis is associated with worse outcomes and increased mortality in critically ill patients. The Candida score (CS) provides a clinical tool for identifying patients at risk for invasive candidiasis. Outcomes of severely injured trauma patients with positive Candida cultures stratified by their CS have not been well described. In this retrospective observational study, all severely injured trauma patients (Injury Severity Score ≥16) admitted to the Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center from April 2008 to April 2014 with positive Candida cultures were included. Outcomes of patients with a low risk for invasive candidiasis (CS < 3) were compared with those with a high risk (CS ≥ 3). A CS ≥ 3 was significantly associated with higher mortality (35.9% vs 5.0%, P = 0.001), longer length of stay (LOS) (median 49.0 vs 28.0, P = 0.002), longer intensive care unit LOS (35.0 vs 20.0, P < 0.001), requirement for renal replacement therapy (38.5% vs 4.9%, P < 0.001), and increased ventilator days (22.0 vs 12.0, P < 0.001). Multi-variable regression analysis revealed a CS ≥ 3 as a significant predictor for increased mortality [OR 6.983], longer LOS [regression coefficient (RC) 1.572] and intensive care unit LOS (RC 1.698), more frequent need for renal replacement therapy (OR 13.268), and increased ventilator days (RC 1.836). In conclusion, a CS ≥ 3 is significantly associated with increased mortality and worse outcomes in severely injured trauma patients with positive Candida cultures. The CS thus may serve as a clinical tool to predict outcomes in this patient population.

Should prophylactic thrombolysis be routine in clinical practice? Evidence from an autopsy case of septicemia

Background

Central venous catheters provide easy access for intravenous infusion and nutrition, but they can bring about complications such as catheter-related infections. Infected central venous catheters often cause nosocomial bloodstream infections with high morbidity and mortality. However, most of the morphological data that have been published are derived from in vitro and in vivo studies and few reports of direct evidence obtained from patient-derived samples have been described. Here we present visual evidence of catheter-related candidemia. To our knowledge, this is the first reported conventional histopathological evidence of a Candida-infected intraluminal thrombus in a patient’s central venous catheter.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old Japanese female with obstructive jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, and liver metastasis from pancreatic head cancer was given an implantable subcutaneous central venous port for nutrition and chemotherapy administration. High fever ensued on day 16 after the central venous port insertion and blood cultures revealed Candida albicans. Although the patient was given 300 mg/day of fosfluconazole according to the suggestion of the infection control team, she died from respiratory failure. Postmortem computed tomography revealed findings consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome, suggesting that the patient’s course was complicated by catheter-related sepsis. Autopsy revealed a subcutaneous abscess around the port, from which C. albicans was cultured. However, no catheter-adherent thrombus, thrombosis of the great central veins, or endocardial vegetations were detected in the patient. Histological analysis revealed scattered abscesses in several organs including lungs and kidneys. Hyaline membrane formation and Candida colonies were found in the lungs. The central venous port tube, together with the part of the subclavian vein into which it had been inserted, was involved in an intraluminal fibrin thrombus containing neutrophils and macrophages, indicating that the thrombus existed while the patient was alive. Histopathological examination following use of the periodic acid-Schiff reagent and the Grocott stain revealed scattered Candida in the thrombus.

Conclusions

Prophylactic thrombolysis should be encouraged to prevent central venous catheter-related candidiasis in clinical practice.

Canadian clinical practice guidelines for invasive candidiasis in adults

Candidemia and invasive candidiasis (C/IC) are life-threatening opportunistic infections that add excess morbidity, mortality and cost to the management of patients with a range of potentially curable underlying conditions. The Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada developed evidence-based guidelines for the approach to the diagnosis and management of these infections in the ever-increasing population of at-risk adult patients in the health care system. Over the past few years, a new and broader understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of C/IC has emerged and has been coupled with the availability of new antifungal agents and defined strategies for targeting groups at risk including, but not limited to, acute leukemia patients, hematopoietic stem cell transplants and solid organ transplants, and critical care unit patients. Accordingly, these guidelines have focused on patients at risk for C/IC, and on approaches of prevention, early therapy for suspected but unproven infection, and targeted therapy for probable and proven infection.

Candidal thrombophlebitis of central veins: case report and review

Although candidemia and central catheter septic thrombosis is quite common, central veins thrombophlebitis caused by Candida spp. is a rarely reported complication in critically ill patients. Here we report a case of thrombophlebitis of the right internal jugular and subclavian veins due to Candida albicans which occurred in a patient admitted in the intensive care unit for major trauma. The individual was eventually cured after prolonged course of antifungal therapy. We also review 24 additional cases of Candida induced central veins thrombophlebitis reported since 1978. A central vein catheter was in place in all 25 patients with 21 (84%) being admitted in an intensive care unit, 22 (88%) were receiving total parenteral nutrition and 23 (92%) undergoing a course of antibiotic therapy. Overall mortality was 16%, including two patients who received no therapy and died. In the group of patients receiving only medical therapy, the mortality rate was 13%, while no deaths were observed among those treated with combined medical and surgical therapy. Literature data suggest that Candida caused central veins thrombophlebitis is a rare and probably underdiagnosed infectious complication of the critically ill patient. Despite the dramatic presentation with persistent candidemia, mortality is low even with a conservative medical approach with prolonged fungicidal therapy through the use of amphotericin B or echinocandins. Thus, the decision for a combined surgical debridement should be assessed for each patient.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of candidiasis: 2009 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Guidelines for the management of patients with invasive candidiasis and mucosal candidiasis were prepared by an Expert Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. These updated guidelines replace the previous guidelines published in the 15 January 2004 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases and are intended for use by health care providers who care for patients who either have or are at risk of these infections. Since 2004, several new antifungal agents have become available, and several new studies have been published relating to the treatment of candidemia, other forms of invasive candidiasis, and mucosal disease, including oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis. There are also recent prospective data on the prevention of invasive candidiasis in high-risk neonates and adults and on the empiric treatment of suspected invasive candidiasis in adults. This new information is incorporated into this revised document.

Fatal peripheral candidal suppurative thrombophlebitis in a postoperative patient

We report a case of fatal fungal peripheral suppurative thrombophlebitis, caused by Candida albicans, which was disseminated to the blood, lungs, eyes, and spine. Clinical suspicion and aggressive management are important in managing fungal peripheral suppurative thrombophlebitis. Early clinical suspicion is important in managing fungal peripheral suppurative thrombophlebitis, and radical excision of the affected veins, recognition of metastatic foci, and use of systemic antifungal agents are essential to avoid septic shock and death.

Candida inferior vena cava filter infection and septic thrombophlebitis

Candida infection following central venous catheterization (CVC) is a well known complication, most common infection being that caused by Candida albicans. Less common is infection with Candida glabrata. Candida septic thrombophlebitis of the central veins is an uncommon complication after CVC. We report the first case of inferior vena cava filter infection with C. glabrata following septic thrombophlebitis of the femoral veins and discuss management of this rare complication.

A case of recurrent episodes of Candida parapsilosis fungemia

Candida species is the fourth most commonly isolated organism in blood stream infections in the hospital setting. Patients with candidemia frequently succumb to this infection. For those that survive an initial candidemia, an increasing number of cases of breakthrough or recurrent candidemias have been reported in the literature. We report three episodes of C. parapsilosis fungemia in a cancer patient. Molecular testing was performed and confirmed that all these episodes occurring within an eight-month period were caused by the same organism. The incidence of recurrent candidemia is likely to increase in the near future. Studies and therapeutic interventions for patients at risk for recurrent candidemias are warranted.

Septic Thrombosis of the Inferior Vena Cava Treated with Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy

The present report describes a patient with septic thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) related to a subhepatic abscess adjacent to the IVC. Despite prolonged antimicrobial therapy and systemic anticoagulation, sepsis and septic embolism persisted while the size of the thrombus increased. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy was performed, resulting in removal of the infected thrombus and complete clinical recovery.

Invasive Candidiasis in Immunocompromised Hospitalized Patients

The frequency of infections by Candida species is increasing worldwide, with candidemia representing the fourth most common bloodstream infection in the U.S. The risk of infection is especially high in the immunocompromised, hospitalized patient. The treatment of and prophylaxis for Candida infection have led to the emergence of resistant species and the acquisition of resistance in previously susceptible species. Current therapeutic options include amphotericin B and its lipid compounds, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and caspofungin. Research is focusing on better diagnostics and the evaluation of strategies such as prophylaxis in high-risk hosts and pre-emptive therapy.

Management of invasive candidiasis in critically ill patients

Candida species have become predominant pathogens in critically ill patients. In this population, invasive candidiasis is associated with a poor prognosis but adequate management can limit the attributable mortality. Adequate management, however, is hampered by a problematic diagnosis as the clinical picture of invasive disease is non-specific and blood cultures have a low sensitivity. Moreover, it is often hard to differentiate colonisation from infection and many critically ill patients are heavily colonised with Candida species, especially when receiving broad-spectrum antibacterials. The question of which antifungal agent to choose has become more complex as the development of new drugs raises promising expectations. Until the 1980s therapy for invasive candidiasis was limited to amphotericin B, but with the advent of new antifungal agents, such as azoles and echinocandins, less toxic therapeutic options are possible and doors have opened towards prevention and optimised therapy in the case of documented candidiasis. Through the arrival of these new antifungal agents, a range of therapeutic strategies for the management of invasive candidiasis has been developed: antifungal prophylaxis, pre-emptive therapy, and empirical and definitive antifungal therapy. Each of these strategies has a specific target population, as defined by specific underlying conditions and/or individual risk factors. Antifungal prophylaxis, in order to prevent candidal infection, is based on the type of underlying diseases with a high risk for invasive candidiasis. Individual risk factors are not taken into account. Potential indications are bone marrow transplantation, liver transplantation, recurrent gastrointestinal perforations or leakages, and surgery for acute necrotising pancreatitis. Pre-emptive therapy is also a preventive strategy. It can be recommended on the basis of an individual risk profile including overt candidal colonisation. Empirical therapy is started in patients with a risk profile for invasive candidiasis. It is recommended in the presence of clinical signs of infection, deteriorating clinical parameters, or a clinical picture of infection not responding to antibacterials but in the absence of a clear causative pathogen. Definitive antifungal therapy is defined as therapy in patients with documented invasive infection. The main goal is to maintain a balance between optimal prevention and timely initiation of therapy on one hand, and to minimise selection pressure in order to avoid a shift towards less susceptible Candida species on the other hand.

SepticCandida kruseithrombophlebitis of inferior vena cava with persistent fungemia successfully treated by new antifungal agents

Treatment of Candida krusei fungemia can be problematic. We describe a 44-year-old critically ill, non-immunocompromised patient who had persistent Candida krusei fungemia complicated with septic thrombophlebitis of the inferior vena cava. Successful treatment was achieved by parenteral caspofungin followed by prolonged oral voriconazole. Persistent fungemia in the face of ongoing antifungal therapy and prompt removal of central line should alert physicians to the diagnosis of septic thrombophlebitis. Though combined therapy with amphotericin B and surgical intervention probably remains the treatment of choice, prolonged new antifungal agents, which have better efficacy, tolerability and bioavailability, may be a useful alternative where the central veins are relatively inaccessible or the patient is at high operative risk.

Neonatal Candida albicans septic thrombosis of the portal vein followed by cavernous transformation of the vessel

We report two premature neonates with Candida albicans septic thrombosis of the portal vein who developed, in very early childhood, the sonographic appearance of cavernous transformation of the vessel and/or clinical signs of extrahepatic portal hypertension.

Diagnosis of Deep Septic Thrombophlebitis in Cancer Patients by Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Scanning: A Preliminary Report

Purpose

To determine the role of the fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan in the diagnosis and management of deep septic thrombophlebitis (STP).

Patients and Methods

We conducted a prospective observational evaluation of FDG-PET in patients with cancer and suspected STP. Retrospective evaluation of patients with cancer and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) who underwent FDG-PET and extremity duplex scan (DS) was also performed.

Results

Strong venous uptake was observed in FDG-PET of nine STP episodes versus 0 of 27 DVT episodes (P < .001). FDG-PET identified central vein STP in five patients, whereas DS and venography were negative in five and two of these patients, respectively. FDG-PET diagnosis of STP resulted in therapeutic changes in all patients. In four patients, follow-up FDG-PET confirmed resolution.

Conclusion

In cancer patients, FDG-PET identifies STP even in areas not optimally visualized by DS or venography, distinguishes STP from DVT, and leads to significant therapeutic changes.

Prolonged candidemia in infants following surgery for congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVES

To describe a group of infants with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) who had candidemia postoperatively and to perform a case-control study of risk factors.

DESIGN

Descriptive and case-control study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care medical centers.

PATIENTS

Infants with CCHD who underwent cardiac surgery and developed candidemia. Controls were matched for congenital heart disease lesions, age, and postoperative hospital stay.

RESULTS

Of 95 infants younger than 6 months with CCHD who underwent cardiac surgery between January 1999 and April 2001, 6 (6.3%) developed candidemia with 5 different species. The candidemia was prolonged (range, 12 to 32 days; median, 17 days). The interval between cardiac surgery and onset of candidemia was 12 to 57 days (median, 24 days). All had a central venous catheter inserted 8 to 50 days prior to the onset of candidemia. The mortality rate was 83%, compared with 13% for the group without candidemia. A univariate analysis of the potential risk factors revealed that duration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), duration of antibiotics, intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass time, and documentation of an intravascular thrombus were associated with candidemia. In multivariate analysis, long duration of TPN and documentation of a thrombus were associated with candidemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Candidemia following cardiac surgery for infants with CCHD was persistent and associated with high mortality. The variety of species indicates that this was not a common-source outbreak. Risk factors associated with candidemia were duration of TPN and documentation of an intravascular thrombus.

Antifungal therapy--state of the art at the beginning of the 21st century

The most relevant information on the present state of the art of antifungal chemotherapy is reviewed in this chapter. For dermatomycoses a variety of topical antifungals are available, and safe and efficacious systemic treatment, especially with the fungicidal drug terbinafine, is possible. The duration of treatment can be drastically reduced. Substantial progress in the armamentarium of drugs for invasive fungal infections has been made, and a new class of antifungals, echinocandins, is now in clinical use. The following drugs in oral and/or intravenous formulations are available: the broad spectrum polyene amphotericin B with its new "clothes"; the sterol biosynthesis inhibitors fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole; the glucan synthase inhibitor caspofungin; and the combination partner flucytosine. New therapy schedules have been studied; combination therapy has found a significant place in the treatment of severely compromised patients, and the field of prevention and empiric therapy is fast moving. Guidelines exist nowadays for the treatment of various fungal diseases and maintenance therapy. New approaches interfering with host defenses or pathogenicity of fungal cells are being investigated, and molecular biologists are looking for new targets studying the genomics of pathogenic fungi.

Guidelines for the management of intravascular catheter-related infections

These guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American College of Critical Care Medicine (for the Society of Critical Care Medicine), and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America contain recommendations for the management of adults and children with, and diagnosis of infections related to, peripheral and nontunneled central venous catheters (CVCs), pulmonary artery catheters, tunneled central catheters, and implantable devices. The guidelines, written for clinicians, contain IDSA evidence-based recommendations for assessment of the quality and strength of the data. Recommendations are presented according to the type of catheter, the infecting organism, and the associated complications.

Intravascular catheter-related infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Coagulase-negative staphylococci,Staphylococcus aureus, aerobic gram-negative bacilli, andCandida albicansmost commonly cause catheter-related bloodstream infection. Management of catheter-related infection varies according to the type of catheter involved. After appropriate cultures of blood and catheter samples are done, empirical iv antimicrobial therapy should be initiated on the basis of clinical clues, the severity of the patient's acute illness, underlying disease, and the potential pathogen (s) involved. In most cases of nontunneled CVC-related bacteremia and fungemia, the CVC should be removed.