Disseminated Candidosis Following Aortic Valve Homograft Replacement and Tracheostomy

A tracheostomy following aortic valve homograft replacement was infected with organisms of a Candida species. The infection spread to one of many thrombo-embolic lesions in the lung and became fungaemic with production of widespread microscopic foci. Infection of the homograft valve was minimal and secondary to the fungaemia.

We should like to thank Mr L. L. Bromley, who looked after the patient, Dr R. R. Davies for help with the identification of the fungus, Professor R. E. O. Williams for helpful suggestions and Mr A. Beasley for the staining and photographing of the specimens.