The treatment of Candida albicans shunt infections

Abstract 

Cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures are performed for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Infection of ventriculoperitoneal shunts may create significant clinical management issues in these patients. The majority of these infections are bacterial, but occasionally a Candida albicans shunt infection may occur. We report two patients who acquired Candida albicans shunt infection and discuss their clinical presentation, management, and successful outcome. The treatment with or without removal of the shunt and the correct dosage and route of administration of the antifungal agents is not well documented. The dilemma of treatment of Candida albicans shunt infections in these patients and review of the limited literature on this subject are the subjects of this report.