Candida glabrata associated primary pleuro-pulmonary infections: A report of two cases

Abstract

Candida glabrata, a respiratory tract commensal, is an opportunistic pathogen that rarely causes respiratory disease. Primary pleuropulmonary infection caused by Candida glabrata without systemic involvement is extremely uncommon. We report two cases of proven Candida glabrata-associated pleuropulmonary infections in poorly controlled diabetics. A 51-year-old lady with a lung abscess had Candida glabrata identified from a biopsy specimen. Another 42-year-old man had necrotizing pneumonia and empyema due to Candida glabrata identified from repeated pleural fluid cultures. Both patients showed remarkable clinical-radiological improvement with antifungals, reaffirming our diagnosis and underscoring the importance of accurate etiological identification.