Diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis by fine needle aspiration of lymph node and by splenic imprint in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia

Candida albicans cervical lymphadenitis in patients who have acute myeloid leukemia

We describe two patients with acute myelogenous leukemia who developed cervical lymphadenitis and chronic disseminated infection due to Candida albicans. Candida albicans infection should be considered in leukemic patients with acute lymphadenitis. Evaluation for visceral dissemination is warranted even in the absence of fungemia.

Cervical lymphadenitis caused by Candida albicans

Cervical lymphadenitis caused by Candida albicans developed in an 8-year-old Chinese child. There was no evidence of disseminated infection. The infection apparently confined to a lymph node was interpreted as a stage of fungal invasion. The child showed lymphopenia with a proportionate decrease in T-helper and T-suppressor cells. The child was successfully treated intravenously with fluconazole.