Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Caused by Candida tropicalis: Beyond the Typical

Authors

  • Sunayana Mukesh Jangla Department of Pathology, Microbiology Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Hospital, Anushakti Nagar, Trombay, Mumbai 400-094, Maharashtra, India
  • Uma Pankaj Chaturvedi Department of Pathology, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Hospital, Anushakti Nagar, Trombay, Mumbai 400-094, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.3863

Keywords:

Candida, invasive fungal sinusitis, paranasal sinus

Abstract

Fungi, though rare, are increasingly being recognised as causative agent of rhino-sinusitis. Invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients, the common culprits being *Aspergillus* and *Mucor*. These can cause rapid intracranial spread causing various systemic complications. Reported cases of IFS caused by *Candida* are few and far between. *Candida* is a yeast like fungus and a commensal in the oral cavity and skin. We report an exclusive case of invasive sphenoidal sinusitis caused by *Candida tropicalis* leading to compression of cavernous sinus causing ophthalmoplegia in a healthy patient and responded well to antifungals.

References

1. Swarajyalakshmi M, Jyothilakshmi G. Candida kefyr in Invasive Paranasal Sinusitis. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;66(1):S371-S374.

2. Jahromi BS, Khakhsar AA. Paranasal sinus mycosis in suspected fungal sinusitis. Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2006;1(1):25-29.

3. Shah JN, Rathore A. Intracranial Extension of Fungal Sinusitis. Otorhinolaryngology Clinics: An International Journal 2009;1(1):55-61.

4. Stringer SP, Ryan MW. Chronic invasive fungal sinusitis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2000;33:375-87.

5. Subramaniyam C, Reevoori KM, Padiki S, Mihiuddin MK, Kaul S, Uppin MS et al. A case of invasive fungal sinusitis caused by Candida causing blindness. Journal of Medical and Scientific Research 2021;9(1):41-44.

6. Venkatachalam VP, Anand N. Paranasal mucormycosis: Unusual presentation in otherwise, healthy child. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;59(3):254-266.

7. Chakraborti A, Sharma SC. Paranasal sinus mycoses. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci 2000;42:293-304.

8. Joshi RR, Bhandary S, Khanal B, Singh RK. Fungal maxillary sinusitis: a prospective study in tertiary care hospital of eastern Nepal. Kathmandu Univ Med J 2007;5(2):195-198.

9. Soontrapa P, Larbchaoensub N, Luxameechanporn T, Cheewaruangroj W, Prakunhungsit S, et al. Fungal rhinosinusitis: a retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic features and treatment outcomes at Ramathibodi hospital. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2010;41(2):442-449.

10. Tilak R, Kumar V, Nigam C, Gupta K, Kumar R, Jai RK. Clinico-mycological Spectrum of Fungal Rhino-Sinusitis from University Hospital, North India. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 2012;6(4):656-659.

Downloads

Published

01-06-2026

Issue

Section

Case Report / Case Series

How to Cite

1.
Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Caused by Candida tropicalis: Beyond the Typical. Ann of Pathol and Lab Med [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1 [cited 2026 Jun. 2];13(6):C169-C172. Available from: https://pacificejournals.com/journal/index.php/apalm/article/view/3863