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Journal of Clinical Pathology logoLink to Journal of Clinical Pathology
. 1998 Jul;51(7):537–538. doi: 10.1136/jcp.51.7.537

Candida albicans blastoconidia in peripheral blood smears from non-neutropenic surgical patients.

Y Berrouane 1, H Bisiau 1, F Le Baron 1, C Cattoen 1, P Duthilleul 1, E Dei Cas 1
PMCID: PMC500809  PMID: 9797733

Abstract

An 80 year old woman developed fever 11 days after volvulus surgery. A peripheral blood smear showed numerous yeast cells--both extraleucocytic and intraleucocytic--as well as leucoagglutination. The fungal elements included blastospores, pseudohyphae, and germ tubes. Two days later, blood cultures yielded Candida albicans, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Staphlococcus aureus. The patient had no medical history of immunodeficiency. Several reports indicate that fungal elements may be detected in peripheral blood smears from patients who have a severe intestinal disease.

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Selected References

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