Candida osteomyelitis. Report of five cases and review of the literature.

Candida species have emerged as important pathogens in human infection. Although a variety of deep-seated candidal infections have been reported, Candida osteomyelitis has rarely been described. Five patients with Candida osteomyelitis are presented, and the 32 adult cases previously reported are reviewed. Candida osteomyelitis is noted as a simultaneous occurrence or late manifestation of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis. Osteomyelitis may not be prevented by a course of amphotericin B adequate to control the acute episode of disseminated candidiasis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Less commonly, Candida osteomyelitis presents as a postoperative wound infection. Like bacterial osteomyelitis, the most common presenting symptom is local pain. The insidious progression of infection, the nonspecificity of laboratory data, and the failure to recognize Candida as a potential pathogen may lead to diagnostic delay. Diagnosis can be made by either open biopsy or closed needle aspiration. Successful therapeutic regimens have employed combinations of antifungal therapy (most often amphotericin B) with surgical debridement when indicated. It is anticipated that osteomyelitis will become a more commonly recognized manifestation of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis.