Hepatosplenic candidiasis, a fatal disease?

We report on two patients with acute leukemia and prolonged granulocytopenia after cytotoxic therapy in whom the diagnosis hepatosplenic candidiasis was made. Both patients developed upper abdominal discomfort with elevated alkaline phosphatase after resolution of granulocytopenia. The diagnosis was established by demonstration of multiple abscesses in liver and spleen on ultrasound and computed tomography. Both patients were initially treated with amphotericin B i.v., one of them received liposomal amphotericin B (cumulative dose of 2,530 mg and 570 mg, respectively). Thereafter, therapy was continued for months with oral fluconazole. The treatment of hepatosplenic candidiasis was successful, however, the patients died from relapse and progression of leukemia.