Candida pneumonia: Innocent colonizer or silent killer? A case report

Sergio G Monasterios-López, Martín A Ríos-Ayala, Carmen Hernández-Cárdenas, Gustavo Lugo-Goytia, Jaritzy G Lagunez Caramón

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Monasterios-López SG, Ríos-Ayala MA, Hernández-Cárdenas CM, Lugo-Goytia G, Lagunez Caramón JG. Candida Pneumonia: Innocent Colonizer or Silent Killer? A Case Report. J Mech Vent 2025; 6(2):97-100.

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Abstract

Candida in tracheal aspirate is often classified as simple colonization or potentially fatal pulmonary infection. Fungal respiratory infections are of particular concern in the growing population of immunocompromised patients. Candida pneumonia is a rare and potentially fatal condition, with mortality rates reaching up to 70%. Demonstration of Candida species through lung biopsy along with evidence of inflammation is the only way to confirm this entity.

Keywords: Candida, Colonization, Pneumonia, Antifungal treatment, Acute respiratory failure.

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