Candida prosthetic arthritis: report of a case treated with fluconazole and review of the literature

Abstract

Prosthetic arthritis due to Candida species is uncommon, with only 15 cases reported in the literature. We recently cared for a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient who developed Candida parapsilosis prosthetic arthritis unresponsive to resection arthroplasty, intravenous amphotericin B, and suppressive ketoconazole therapy. Treatment with fluconazole led to mycologic cure and symptom improvement, although he subsequently underwent above-theknee amputation due to continued joint instability. Fluconazole may be useful follow-up therapy after a course of amphotericin B combined with resection arthroplasty or when removal of the prosthesis cannot be accomplished. © 1993.