Unilateral renal fungus ball caused by Candida glabrata

Med Mycol Case Rep. 2024 Apr 14:44:100649. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2024.100649. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Abstract

A 46-year-old diabetic woman with unilateral renal fungus ball was successfully treated with antifungal therapy, endoscopic extraction and ureteral stent placement. The patient was initially treated for a right staghorn calculus, thereafter developed urinary symptoms. Imaging revealed distal left ureter filling defects and a previous stent at the ureteropelvic junction. Urine culture confirmed Candida glabrata sensitive to Micafungin. Bilateral ureteroscopy facilitated the extraction of a left renal pelvis fungus ball. This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing fungal UTIs in patients with predisposing factors, and highlights a combined medical and surgical approach for effective treatment of renal fungus balls.

Keywords: Candida; Fungus ball; Nephrolithiasis; Urinary tract infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports