Fungal arthritis of the knee caused by Candida parapsilosis in a kidney transplant recipient

Fungal arthritis is a rare infection usually caused by Candida species. Candida parapsilosis has emerged as a new pathogen and has been implicated in several cases of fungal arthritis, mostly associated with a joint prosthesis or after arthrocentesis. We report an unusual case of fungal arthritis of the knee caused by this organism in a 38-year-old female kidney transplant recipient, who had no previous invasive procedures on her knee. Systemic and intraarticular antifungal therapy combined with surgical debridement proved to be an effective treatment of this clinically difficult condition. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of fungal arthritis caused by C, parapsilosis in a transplant recipient. The multimodality approach used in the treatment of this patient should be considered in similar forms of fungal arthritis in immunocompromised patients.