Background: Candida parapsilosis is a rare opportunistic pathogen that can be found in immunosuppressed patients. There are seldom-reported cases of fungal osteomyelitis surrounding orthopedic implants.
Case presentation: This is a case of chronic Candida parapsilosis osteomyelitis in an immunocompromised patient with a prior open reduction and internal fixation for a closed bimalleolar ankle fracture that went on to neglected wound complications. The patient underwent series of treatments including removal of hardware, serial irrigation and debridements, negative pressure wound therapy, and intravenous antifungal therapy. Our case illustrates the possibility of this rare pathogen involved in orthopedic surgery particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
Conclusion: Fungal and atypical pathogens should always be considered in such patients or if another diagnosis is not clear. Protracted time to culture specimens should be considered for at least four weeks in such situations. This article outlines a review of the literature and treatment algorithm to guide physicians when managing patients with this rare infection.
Keywords: Acute and chronic deep fungal infection management; Ankle fracture; Exposed hardware; Fungus; Irrigation and debridement; Negative pressure wound therapy; Removal of hardware; Saucerization.