[Disseminated candidiasis in parenteral drug addicts. Report of 15 cases].

Fungic infections related to parenteral use of drugs increased significantly from 1980 on with the description of the disseminated candidiasis syndrome. Associated to the administration of brown heroin, this syndrome is characterized by the development of cutaneous, ocular and osteoarticular infections, isolated or combined, by Candidas albicans. We present 15 patients with disseminated candidiasis: 12 developed ocular affection (10 endophthalmitis and 2 chorioretinitis): 9, cutaneous lesions and 3 osteoarticular affection (3 costochondritis and one hip arthritis); 8 presented simultaneous infections in several locations. The biopsy and culture of the cutaneous lesions was the most profitable test in order to establish the microbiological diagnosis. We comment on the main etiopathogenetic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the disseminated candidiasis syndrome.