Chronic Cholecystitis with Synchronized Candida Infection – A Rare Case from Rural India

Background. Candida infection may cause acute, necrotizing or suppurative cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis with Candida infection has been reported in patients with malignancies. Chronic cholecystitis with synchronized candida infection is a rare combination of pathologies.

Case report. In the present case, we report chronic cholecystitis with Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection in 35 years young female. She presented in the outpatient department (OPD) with pain in the abdomen for 2 months. Radiological findings were suggestive of gallstones. Cholecystectomy was done, and a formalin-fixed specimen was sent for the histopathology examination. The gall bladder was measured 8.0 x 3.5 x 1.5 cm in dimensions. The mucosa was atrophied, and the wall thickness measured 0.4 cm to 0.7 cm. Histopathology findings were suggestive of chronic cholecystitis with Candida infection. PAS and GMS stain confirmed fungi, i.e. C. albicans. Based on these findings, the current case was reported as chronic cholecystitis with synchronized C. albicans infection. This case is being reported because of its rarity.

Conclusion. C. albicans is a global health issue because of its high prevalence rate. Its identification in the gall bladder is often ignored, resulting in delayed or improper management. This case report emphasizes the importance of submitting all gall bladder specimens for histopathological examination and the occurrence of C. albicans infection at rare sites, such as gall bladder, so that pathologies can be diagnosed and managed accordingly.