Lachlan Barnes¹, Seethalakshmi Viswanathan^1,2

¹ Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia; ² School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

 

Candida infection is a rare cause of chorioamnionitis involving the placenta¹, with several known risk factors^2,3. We present a case of Candida chorioamnionitis, diagnosed on histopathological examination of the placenta, in a woman with gestational diabetes. The patient presented in advanced labour at 38 weeks’ gestation. The baby was born via caesarean section with an erythematous rash over its trunk, arms and face, and was admitted to the special care nursery. Macroscopic examination of the placenta revealed multiple yellowish plaques over the surface of the umbilical cord. Microscopic examination demonstrated severe chorioamnionitis with maternal and foetal inflammatory response. Fungal elements were identified on the surface of the cord and membranes, confirmed on special stains. Culture of a placental swab confirmed the presence of Candida albicans. This easily missed but important diagnosis guided the appropriate management for both mother and infant.

 

References:

1. Maki, Y., Fujisaki, M., Sato, Y., & Sameshima, H. (2017). Candida chorioamnionitis leads to preterm birth and adverse fetal-neonatal outcome. Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2017, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9060138 

2. Bagga, R., & Arora, P. (2020). Genital micro-organisms in pregnancy. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00225 

3. Shazniza Shaaya, E., Halim, S. A. A., Leong, K. W., Ku, K. B. P., Lim, P. S., Tan, G. C., & Wong, Y. P. (2021). Candida chorioamnionitis in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus: A report of two cases. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7450. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147450 

This work was completed entirely by myself, with minor corrections provided by my supervisor Dr Viswanathan.