Fungal and Bacterial Co-infection of Supraglottis in an Immunocompetent Patient Secondary to Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Fungal infections are among the major infections among immunocompromised patients. They are becoming more common with the widespread use of antibiotics, steroid therapy, and the increasing number of immunocompromised patients. However, the incidence of laryngeal fungal and bacterial co-infection has rarely been reported. As same as laryngeal fungal infection, it mimics other types of laryngeal disease such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, granulomatous disease, and malignant lesions. There is a high likelihood of misdiagnosis, leading to delayed treatment and morbidity from fungal and bacterial co-infection of the larynx. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis and one should look for evidence of immunosuppression and predisposing factors to local mucosal barrier impairment. However, herbal medicine is a rare cause. We present a case of fungal and bacterial co-infection of supraglottis in an immunocompetent patient secondary to herbal medicine.