Candida tropicalis-associated bilateral renal papillary necrosis and emphysematous pyelonephritis

Abstract

Although the kidney is often involved in disseminated and localized candidiasis, bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is infrequently reported. Renal papillary necrosis (RPN) caused by fungi is also rare. We describe a patient with bilateral RPN and EPN caused by Candida tropicalis, who suffered from recurrent hematuria, flank pain, acute fulminant renal failure, and obstruction by a sloughed papilla. He was treated successfully with antifungal therapy and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). This is the first case report of C. tropicalis-associated EPN and RPN.