Manfrin L, Scrigni A, Mary Nieto, Claudia González

Language: Spanish
References: 13
Page: 384-389
PDF size: 160.35 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Epiglottitis is an uncommon disease since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine. Nevertheless, other causes of epiglottitis such as other bacteria and fungal pathogens should be considered. We report a case of Candida albicans epiglottitis in a child with HIV infection. We analyze the clinical findings and treatment of this case, and literature published about this topic.
Case report. A 3-year old girl with HIV infection acquired through vertical transmission and co-infected with hepatitis B. She presented with cough, fever, inspiratory stridor and upper respiratory distress. The lateral neck X-ray showed thickening of epiglottic area. Laringoscopy demonstrated white plaques in supraglottic region (epiglottis); epiglottitis by C. albicans was diagnosed. The patient was treated with amphotericin B I.V., steroids I.V. and adrenaline nebulization. The child,s condition improved in 4 days.
Conclusions. An endoscopic evaluation is needed to confirm the diagnosis of candidiasis when acute epiglottitis, stridor, and upper respiratory distress are present. Other causes of epiglottitis such as fungal pathogens, as well as the immunocompromised condition should be considered in cases of Candida

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