Granulomatous appendicitis in acute myeloblastic leukemia: expanding the clinicopathologic spectrum of invasive candidiasis.

Abstract

The incidence of systemic candidiasis appears to be on the rise, and unusual or hitherto undocumented clinicopathologic features of invasive candidiasis continue to be described. This report adds further to this spectrum by describing granulomatous appendicitis due to invasive candidiasis. The patient was a 23-year-old woman with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Her other risk factors included the use of aggressive chemotherapy, immunosuppressives, broadspectrum antibiotics, and invasive instrumentation. In view of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic, as well as the improved survival of patients with prolonged neutropenia owing to better intensive care units, there is reason to believe that other as yet undocumented clinicopathologic manifestations of invasive candidiasis or other opportunistic infections may come to light.