Recurrent arthritis caused by Candida parapsilosis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Candida arthritis is extremely rare and also represents a major challenge of diagnosis and treatment. Here we reported a rare case of recurrent arthritis caused by Candida parapsilosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old Chinese male suffered from recurrent pain and swelling in his right knee after several times of “small needle-knife” acupuncture and corticosteroid injection of the joint. Candida parapsilosis was cultured in his synovial fluid and identified by sequencing of its Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene. Here we present the radiological characteristics, arthroscopic pictures, and synovium pathology of this patient. Also, blood test and chemical analysis of his synovial fluid were listed as well as the ITS sequence of this Candida species identified. The patient underwent thorough arthroscopic debridement and then set on fluconazole 400 mg daily for 12 months. His symptoms resolved and no relapse was observed on the last follow-up. Additionally, a brief but comprehensive review of C. parapsilosis arthritis episodes from past to now were studied. CONCLUSION: With the detailed clinical information reported in this case and our literature review, we hope they would add to our knowledge of C. parapsilosis arthritis - its clinical settings, laboratory features, radiological characteristics, arthroscopic findings and experience of management. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-019-4255-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.