In a first, a case of holes in the small intestine and large intestine of a patient due to white fungus infection (candida) has been reported in Delhi. White fungus infection is considered very rare and severe. The patient had holes in her large intestine, small intestine, and food pipe. New Delhi‘s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on May 13, 2021, reported this rare case of white fungus.
Diagnosis
The 49- year-old patient, admitted after bouts of vomiting and severe pain. The woman is a cancer patient and had undergone chemotherapy recently. A High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scan showed holes in the small intestine and large intestine. The only treatment at such a stage is surgery.
A team of experienced surgeons took charge and performed emergency surgery to fix the perforations. “After four hours of surgery, the holes in the woman’s food pipe, small intestine, and large intestine could be closed,” said Dr. Amit Arora, the head of Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences in the hospital.
Has white fungus caused such symptoms in the past?
Although not common, the black fungus (mucor) has pierced the intestine due to severe steroid use. But, this is the first-ever case of white fungus leading to holes in the intestine and food pipe of the infected person.
“White fungus causing multifocal perforations in the food pipe, small bowel and large bowel in COVID-19 infection has not been reported in the past to the best of our knowledge,” said Dr. Arora, when asked about the occurrence of the disease.
Normally the intestine remains in perfect harmony with the fungus(candida). In Immunocompromised states such as diabetes, injudicious use of steroids, and chemotherapy. There is inward migration of this fungus from the intestinal lumen into the body tissues by disrupting the normal gut barriers. As a result, causing intestinal complications like ulcers, bleeding, gangrene, and perforation. (https://thereader.com)