A case of ureteral fungal mass removal in a patient taking empagliflozin

CEN Case Rep. 2021 Nov;10(4):603-607. doi: 10.1007/s13730-021-00616-8. Epub 2021 Jun 28.

Abstract

With increased use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors as antidiabetic agents, the risk of serious fungal urinary tract infection (UTI) may be increased. We present the case of a 67-year-old Caucasian female who was admitted for emphysematous pyelitis and found to have a fungal ball in the renal pelvis. Candida glabrata was cultured and the patient was managed with percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement and antifungal treatment. The fungal ball persisted and required surgical removal with ureteroscopy and basket extraction. Fungal balls can be a difficult sequelae of UTIs requiring a combination of antifungal and surgical intervention for definitive management.

Keywords: Ascending funguria; Endourology; Fungal bezoar; SGLT2 inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Candida glabrata / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Glucosides / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Mycoses / chemically induced*
  • Mycoses / surgery
  • Pyelitis / chemically induced*
  • Pyelitis / microbiology
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Ureteroscopy

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Glucosides
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
  • empagliflozin