Fungal Gastric Ulcer Perforation in an Immunocompetent Individual: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Fungal infection of gastrointestinal tract is frequent in immunocompromised patients and rare in an otherwise healthy individual. Gastric perforation commonly occurs as a complication of peptic ulcer disease. Other causes include  prolonged intake of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, steroid abuse, neoplastic diseases. Gastric perforation due to secondary Candida albicans  infection is exceedingly rare. We  present a hypertensive 70 year old lady presenting in emergency department with peritonitis. She was taken up for emergency laparotomy. Intra-operatively gastric ulcer perforation was found and repaired with Graham’s omental patch repair. Edge biopsy findings was consistent with fungal etiology showing hyphae of Candida albicans. We concluded that fungal infection can cause gastric ulcer perforation beside a much-discussed H. pylori infection. So, a high index of suspicion is needed to rule out fungal infection as a possible etiology.