Candida parapsilosis Infection after Lumbosacral Arthrodesis with a PEEK TLIF Interbody Fusion Device: Case Report

Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). 2021 Jun;56(3):390-393. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1721845. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Abstract

Spondylodiscitis is an uncommon but serious complication after spine surgeries, and its main etiologic agent is Staphylococcus aureus . Fungal infections are rare and mostly caused by Candida albicans . We report the clinical case of a 69-year-old male patient who underwent a L2-S1 arthrodesis for degenerative scoliosis correction. He presented an infection 2.5 months after the procedure, a spondylodiscitis at L5-S1 levels, caused by Candida parapsilosis . The treatment consisted of surgical material removal, tricortical iliac graft placement in an anterior approach (L5-S1), lumbopelvic fixation (from T10 to the pelvis) in a posterior approach, and drug treatment with anidulafungin and fluconazole. This last medication was administered for 12 months, with good clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Candida parapsilosis; fungal infections; spondylodiscitis.